Bipolar Disorder

About Bipolar Disorder

Everyone goes through ups and downs. Brief feelings of sadness after disappointments or losses, happiness after positive events, and irritability after frustrations are a normal part of life. However, when the feelings of sadness become overwhelming, last for more than a couple of weeks, and interfere with a person's ability to function, then the person may be suffering from clinical depression. 

When the feelings of happiness or irritability are markedly excessive, last for a week or more, and interfere with functioning, then the person may be experiencing a manic episode. 

Individuals with bipolar disorder (also called manic-depressive disorder) have experienced both manic and depressive episodes during their lives. Bipolar disorder is a serious medical illness that, if untreated, causes significant problems to patients and their families and friends. Bipolar disorder can ruin friendships, marriages, school performance and careers.

How common is it?

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