The type of mental illness in which the patient displays abnormal behavior is called a mental disorder.  When the person experiences a depressive episode only, then it is called a unipolar disorder.  When the episode occurs between the two poles of depression and mania, it is called  bipolar disorder. Thus both unipolar and bipolar disorders are disorders which have varying affects on the patient.

Bipolar mood disorder is a psychiatric condition which is characterized by extreme mood swings – an abnormal heightened mood referred to as “mania” or a low mood called  depression. Manic phase has a milder moodwhich is  “hypomania” and the other face of depression is a mixed episode which is characterized by both mania and depression. (High energy levels of the mania and low moods of depression). Normally, the manic and depressive phases are a cycle which has a normal mood in between. When there is just an alternate manic and depressive phase, it is referred to as rapid cycling.

Bipolar disorder, often referred to as manic-depressive disorder strikes the young and old and is a lifelong problem. The mood swings that are seen during the disorder are  the extremes which include the highs called “manic” phase and the lows called “depressive” phase. The two different phases are two distinct moods which vary in thought, action, energy and behavior.

Bipolar disorder is a mental illness caused by abnormalities in the key regions of the brain which are crucial to emotions.  Worldwide, this abnormality afflicts almost 2.25 percent of the population or about six million in the U.S.

Bipolar 2 disorders are more commonly known asBipolar II type of bipolar disorder.   There are four known types of bipolar disorder.  In Bipolar I, the severity of the mania and depressive moods is more severe than in Bipolar II with the moods varying between mania and depression over a period of time. Here the mania is generally restricted to hypomania or mild forms of mania.

 

It is estimated that approximately 5.7 million Americans have bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder, manic depression and bipolar depression are some of the other names given to bipolar disorder. The main feature of this mood disorder is that the person suffering from this finds himself alternating between euphoric states such as  mania states and depression states. Each state has its own set of symptoms and such symptoms make the normal functioning of the individual very difficult and challenging. All aspects of personal life including the career, interpersonal relationships and family life can get devastated because of this disorder,. but the good thing is that bipolar disorder is completely curable and a good experienced psychiatrist will be able to help the affected person. There are several people who have bipolar disorder yet manage to live fruitful and peaceful lives. Bipolar disorder cannot be treated with medication alone. It has been proven that a combination of medication, social support and therapy is most effective in treating bipolar disorder.

It is indeed difficult for the common person to differentiate between the various forms of mental disorders.  Media, like cinema have etched certain stereotypes by which we identify certain illness.  In reality it is essential that we should be able to recognize the symptoms of bipolar disorder from the symptoms of schizophrenia or other similar disorders.  The web has, of course, increased our access to know more about these subjects at the click of a button.  

There are various bipolar types present and according to many scientists, a clear consensus on the bipolar types has not yet been reached. The American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders says that there are four bipolar types present which fit into the four bipolar types categories. Bipolar 1, Bipolar 2, Cyclothymiacs and the Bipolar Disorder NOS (not otherwise specified) are the four categories of bipolar types.

Bipolar manic depression is defined clinically as a mood disorder.  Now, popularly known as bipolar disorder, it was earlier known as manic depression. This term is used synonymously with all bipolar disorders now.  The definition of a bipolar disorder or bipolar manic depression is that the patient experiences certain episodes or instances of mood diversions popularly called  mood swings.  The variation of the mood occurs between extreme euphoria or extreme sadness or depression.  This is an illness of the brain for which there is no complete treatment.

Bipolar disorder is a mental illness where patients experience mood swings which typically range from a frenzied euphoria to depression. Since it is long term condition with no complete cure, the symptoms of bipolar disorder have to be controlled. Patients go thru a range of emotions and need to be comforted in a congenial environment. It becomes a conflicting phase of life and to come to terms with the diagnosis of bipolar disorder could be frightening and frustrating. The acceptance of the psychological problem is not just for people who suffer from it but also for their near and dear ones.