Topic Overview
What is bipolar disorder?
Bipolar disorder (also called manic-depressive disorder) is a medical condition that causes extreme mood changes that alternate between episodes of depression and mania . You may return to a normal mood between these extremes. However, a depressive or manic episode can appear suddenly, without an obvious trigger. Although mood changes associated with bipolar disorder can be difficult, effective treatment is available.
What causes bipolar disorder?
The cause of bipolar disorder is not known. It may run in families. Bipolar disorder may be linked to problems in the balance of chemicals in the brain. It may also be linked to problems with how the endocrine system works. Another theory is that the structure or size of certain parts of the brain may be abnormal.
Who is affected by bipolar disorder?
Bipolar disorder is common and occurs equally among males and females. Over 3 million Americans—about 1% of the population—suffer from bipolar disorder, with similar rates existing in other countries. Bipolar disorder often begins between the ages of 15 and 24, although diagnosis and treatment may not begin until several years later. 3
Certain childhood attention disorders can mimic symptoms of bipolar disorder. Research is ongoing to determine whether a connection exists between attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and bipolar disorder. Regardless, while symptoms can be similar, ADHD is a separate disorder that is very different from bipolar disorder and has different treatment. Your doctor can distinguish and properly diagnose ADHD with a normal evaluation. Although most cases of ADHD are not related to bipolar disorder, ADHD can occur along with bipolar disorder in children.
What can I expect when my mood changes?
The mood changes of bipolar disorder can be mild or extreme and develop gradually (over a period of days to weeks) or rapidly (within minutes or hours). The mood episodes can last from hours to months.
If your mood changes are very mild, it is possible you may not have bipolar disorder but a condition called cyclothymic disorder .
Can bipolar disorder be treated?
Bipolar disorder can be effectively treated. Treatment of bipolar disorder includes medication, counseling, and sometimes a combination of both. You and your doctor can discuss which treatment is right for you. Learning to recognize the early symptoms of your manic and depressive episodes can help, because early treatment can reduce their impact on your daily life. If bipolar disorder is not treated, it can lead to serious illness, more extended treatment, and even death due to suicide or reckless or risky behavior. It is also important that your family members learn about the disorder or get supportive counseling because bipolar disorder greatly affects the entire family.
If you have been diagnosed with this condition, you may be encouraged by the amount of research and development of new treatments currently under way.
