Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar Disorder, formerly called manic-depression, is defined by the National Institute of Mental Health as "a mental illness that causes unusual shifts in a person's mood, energy, activity levels, and concentration." There are three subtypes of bipolar: bipolar 1, bipolar 2, and cyclothymic disorder. Bipolar is such a large spectrum that sometimes people don't fit into those three categories. When this happens, it's referred to as a 4th category, "other specified and unspecified bipolar and related disorders.” Bipolar 1 is defined by manic episodes that last for at least 7 days and often result in a depressive episode lasting 2 or more weeks. When someone has 4 or more manic episodes in a year it's called "rapid cycling". Bipolar 2 is slightly different and is a mix between hypomanic episodes and depressive episodes. Hypomanic episodes tend to be less  intense than manic episodes for people with bipolar 1. Finally, cyclothymic disorder is recurring hypomanic and depressive symptoms that don't last long enough to be considered full episodes. Bipolar is usually diagnosed during teens and early adulthood; it is very rarely diagnosed in childhood but not unheard of. The causes of bipolar are still being researched but the leading hypothesis is genetics and brain structure.

Symptoms 

• Decreased need for sleep

• Extreme highs and lows

• Racing thoughts 

• Shifts in mood and energy levels

• Constant paranoia

• General Discontent 

• Euphoria 

Treatment

People with bipolar usually require lifelong treatment. Following diagnosis, a treatment plan is created to help people manage their symptoms and improve their general quality of life. Mood stabilizing medications are a very common treatment to try and gain control of manic and depressive episodes. Support groups and cognitive behavior therapy have also been seen to improve control over identifying signs and getting better control of them.