Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar Disorder

Jessica Hushelpeck

February 5, 2012

BEH/225

Bipolar disorder is a condition in which people go back and forth between periods of good or irritable moods and depression and is sometimes called manic- depressive disorder. The moods can be quick. It is associated with mood swings that range from highs of mania. When a person feels depressed they may feel sad or hopeless or lose interest in most activities. When your mood shifts, you may feel euphoric and full of energy. The mood shifts may occur only a few times a year or several times a day. In some cases, bipolar causes symptoms of depression and mania at the same time.

Bipolar is divided up into several subtypes. Each one has a different pattern of symptoms. Bipolar affects men and women equally. Bipolar I is a person that has had at least one manic episode and periods of depression. Bipolar I is mood swings that cause significant difficulty in a person’s job, school, or relationship. Manic episodes may be severe and dangerous. Bipolar II is where people have never had full mania. Instead they have experienced periods of high energy and impulsiveness that are not as extreme as mania. Bipolar II is less severe than bipolar I. A person may have an elevated mood, irritability, and some changes in their functioning, but they can usually carry on with their normal daily routine. In bipolar II, periods of depression may last longer than periods of hypomania. Cyclothymia involves less severe mood swings and people alternate between hypomania and depression. Cyclothymic disorder also known as cyclothymia, is a mild form of bipolar. With cyclothymia hypomania and depression can be disruptive, but the highs and lows are not as severe as with other types of bipolar.

The symptoms of bipolar vary from person to person. For some, depression causes the most problems, and for others manic symptoms...