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Bipolar disorder (also known as manic depression) is a disease; it is a medical condition that causes psychological problems to such a degree that daily functioning is hampered by the symptoms. The most prominent symptoms include extremes of mood known as depression and mania. These emotional extremes are usually beyond normal responses to events and often last for extended periods of time. Psychosis and suicide are also concerns for those diagnosed with this disorder.

A Layperson's Definition

One textbook definition describes bipolar disorder as "a major affective disorder in which an individual alternates between states of deep depression and extreme elation." This is misleading in that bipolar disorder is much more complicated than just alternating between depression and elation.

Bipolar disorder is an illness that affects thoughts, feelings, perceptions and behavior ... even how a person feels physically.

What Causes Bipolar Disorder? Most scientists believe that mental illnesses are caused by a combination of factorsr. In bipolar disorder, these factors are usually divided into biological and psychological causes. In plain English, the main reasons mental illness develops are physical (biological) and environmental.

Types of Bipolar Disorder In the United States, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV (also known as the DSM-IV) is the primary classification system for defining the types of bipolar disorder. This classification system organizes the mood disorders under the heading of Clinical Disorders (Axis I). The International system is the ICD-10, The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, tenth revision. The ICD-10 provides a structure of "families" or related disorders.

Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder

Mania & Depression

The hallmark symptom of bipolar disorder is mood swings. The American Psychiatric Association's DSM-IV notes that bipolar disorder is characterized by the occurrence of one or more manic or mixed episode and is often accompanied by depressive episodes. Certain behaviors are characteristic of these episodes.

Additional Symptoms

Bipolar disorder also presents a rather complex mix of symptoms.

It is more than just mood swings. It can also feature mixed episodes, rapid cycling, psychotic features and other complications.

Complex Features of Bipolar Disorder

Suicide

Suicide is another serious issue for those diagnosed with this disorder. It is estimated nearly 30 percent of those diagnosed with bipolar disorder will attempt suicide at least once in their lives. This suicide rate is 20 times that of the general population. Each of us needs to know the warnings signs -- the red flags of despair -- so we may be prepared to help a friend in crisis, to see the cry for help from a loved one and to seek assistance when our own resources for coping have worn thin.

Symptoms in Children

Professionals often do not consider early-onset bipolar disorder. Many children who actually have this condition have been incorrectly diagnosed with ADHD because the official guidelines for diagnosing bipolar disorder outline criteria based on classic adult symptoms. A great deal more is now known about early-onset bipolar disorder in children.

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