Bipolar Disorder/Manic Depression

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Bipolar disorder is a brain disorder also known as manic depression, which causes a persons mood to frequently jump from intense highs to unbearable lows. This does not mean the highs and lows of usual life but severe changes that can damage relationships and even lead to suicide. These contrasting periods are known as episodes of mania and depression. The disorder usually develops during the late teenage years to early adulthood but is sometimes not recognized for years after the illness has began. Bipolar disorder affects millions of people and is treatable, however, there is no definite cure and this is a long-term illness that must be carefully managed and kept under control during a person's life.

The original name for this illness was manic depression but it is now known as bipolar disorder. This is because bipolar means two poles, specifying the two extremes this disorder consists of. This illness can make it extremely difficult for a person to experience a regular mood, as there is no middle ground.

A manic episode or depressive episode is diagnosed if three or more of the mood symptoms below occur nearly every day for at least a week.

Symptoms:

Manic Episode	Depressive Episode
Increase in energy and activity	Lasting sad or anxious mood
Intensely high mood	Pessimism
Extreme irritability	Feeling guilty or helpless
Racing thoughts, fast talking jumping from idea to idea	Loss of interest or pleasure in activities
Finds it hard to concentrate	Decreased energy, tiredness and irritability
Little sleep needed	Difficulty concentrating
Unrealistic thoughts about their abilities or powers	Change in appetite
A lasting period of behaviour that is different from usual	Sleeping too much, or can't sleep
Intrusive or aggressive behaviour	Chronic pain or other persistent bodily symptoms
Denial of anything being wrong	Thoughts of death or suicide

Causes

Medical Help and Treatment

Bipolar Disorder Statistics:  More Statistics >>

Most studies give a lifetime prevalence of 1 per cent for bipolar disorder and equal prevalence rates for men and women. [21] However, hospital admission rates are much higher owing to the recurrent nature of the illness, [22] although it is estimated that 20 per cent of people who have a first episode of manic depression do not get another. [23]

(Statistics from Mind.org.uk)

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