The brains of women and men may be affected in different ways by bipolar disorder.  Specifically, according to one recent study, the effect of the disorder on memory is more severe in men.

According to a press release issued by Michigan State University on June 10, 2010, a recent MSU study reports that nearly half of patients hospitalized with bipolar disorder may suffer from hypertension as well, and the younger a person is diagnosed with bipolar, the more likely they are to also develop high blood pressure.

Bipolar statistics are revealing: this disorder is very common in today’s fast paced, competitive world.  About 1.2% of the general population or 2.3 million adult Americans have it. Bipolar disorder has two alternating mood phases or may have a normal mood in between. Mania is the phase of overly elevated mood, rapid speech patterns, and lack of concentration, irritability and sleeplessness. This may be followed by the depressive phase which involves the individual having low feelings of self worth, guilt, suicidal tendencies, lack of confidence, listlessness, and lack of pleasure and so on. Approximately one in 83 people may have the illness.

The American Psychiatric Association defines bipolar manic disorder as an unusual condition of the brain where it experiences extreme changes in the mood, energy and the capacity to carry out every day activities. In fact,  it is called manic-depressive illness.

Bipolar research is a multiple area research.  Studies cover various fields associated with the disorder.  Genetics, brain imaging techniques and biochemical studies are being collaboratively studied by the leading brains of the country in premier medical institutions. Their discoveries will help in diagnosing as well as treating these patients not only in this country but also the millions of people afflicted across the world.

A bipolar disorder is a manifestation of a malfunction of one key region of the brain.  When there is an external circumstance that triggers these defective regions of the brain, the person behaves abnormally.  The person begins to show different phases of mood swings between mania and depression. So, this cycle of mood episodes is called bipolar rapid cycling by experts.

Bipolar test essentially involves an examination conducted by a psychiatrist who asks several questions about the history, the signs, symptoms and other relevant behavioral questions which needs to be answered by the patient. The bipolar test is even conducted on family members and friends of the person to ascertain the behavior of the person suffering from bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is not an easy disorder to diagnose and hence, the bipolar test might seem a bit complicated. The questions help the psychiatrist determine if the person is actually suffering from the disorder.

bipolar mood disorder research. They are working on establishing the neural and biological mechanisms that cause mood disorders.  At these research stations, intensive care is combined with the new discoveries to help chronic patients with bipolar disorders

Bipolar I is . Bipolar disorder is defined as one or more occurrences of variation in the behavior, energy level or method of performing everyday life activities.  This is defined as manic-illness or depression.  When a person has experienced one such mood swing in his life then, he is labeled as Bipolar I (Bipolar One) type.

It is estimated that close to 5.7 million Americans suffer from bipolar disorder. The treatment for this disorder is not easy and its correct diagnosis is even more difficult. One needs to understand that this disorder is treatable and the right treatment can make a world of difference. The right treatment can help the person stabilize his moods and also bring under control certain other phenomena caused by bipolar disorder.