What is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a treatable mental illness that affects 5.7 million Americans. Although the average age of onset is 25, it can develop in anyone of any age, even children. BPHope.com answers the question, “What is bipolar disorder?” and offers dozens of articles on the topic including those that deal with the symptoms of bipolar, bipolar treatments, and children with bipolar disorder.

Bipolar disorder is also called manic depression, or manic-depressive illness. Although there is no cure for bipolar disorder, it can be treated with a variety of methods that include support groups, therapies, and medications. BPHope.com provides their readership with information about these treatments including “Ask the Doctor: Dealing with Bipolar Relapse,” “How My Psychiatrist Impacted by Bipolar Journey,” and “Work with Me Doctors! Be an Ally, Not a Bully!”

What are the Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that is characterized by an individual who experiences episodes of both mania and depression. Mania involves: feeling euphoric, a heightened sense of self-confidence and abilities, racing thoughts and speech, less need for sleep coupled with not becoming fatigued, irritability, reckless behavior, and more.
Depression involves: feeling unusually sad, feeling unworthy or feelings of guilt, low energy and no motivation, not being able to enjoy activities they previously enjoyed, appetite and sleep changes and difficulties, and more.

Types of Bipolar

At BPHope.com, you can find out about the different types of bipolar disorder, as well.

Bipolar I is characterized by depressive episodes and at least one full-blown manic episode in the individual’s lifetime. A full-blown manic episode might involve the person engaging in reckless behavior that requires them to be hospitalized, or they find themselves in trouble with the law, or simply that concerned family members want them to get help.

Bipolar II is characterized by depressive episodes and hypomanic episodes. Hypomania is a different level than a full-blown manic episode, whereas the individual feels optimistic, euphoric, irritable, racing thoughts and high energy, but it might be misinterpreted as simply a rush of energy or a really good mood.

Other types of bipolar disorder include: Cyclothymic Disorder, Other Specified Disorder, Rapid Cycling, with Psychotic Features, with Mixed Features, with Anxious Distress, and others.

To learn more about the symptoms of bipolar disorder, and to even more fully answer the question, “What Is Bipolar?” visit BPHope.com today to read dozens of articles written by professionals in the industry, as well as people who have first-hand knowledge and experience with the illness.

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