| Are you easily distracted? Do you have trouble | | | | self-esteem. There is rapid speech, agitation, and |
| sleeping? Are you depressed or sad one moment and | | | | reckless behavior. Other symptoms are poor |
| full of confidence and optimism the next time? Do | | | | concentration, difficulty sleeping, poor judgment, and |
| you find it difficult to concentrate? Are you reckless | | | | an unrealistic belief in one's abilities and powers. |
| and aggressive at times only to lose interest in | | | | In the depressive phase, the patient may have |
| everything you do the next moment? | | | | persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety or guilt, sleep |
| If you answered "yes" to the above questions, | | | | problems, loss of appetite, irritability, chronic pain with |
| chances are you're suffering from bipolar disorder - a | | | | no known cause, and recurring thoughts of suicide. |
| mental disorder that affects 222 million people | | | | "Bipolar disorder causes dramatic mood swings - from |
| worldwide and is the sixth leading cause of disabilities | | | | overly "high" and/or irritable to sad and hopeless, and |
| worldwide. | | | | then back again, often with periods of normal mood |
| Bipolar disorder is a serious and debilitating mental | | | | in between. Severe changes in energy and behavior |
| illness that is also known as manic-depression or | | | | go along with these changes in mood. The periods of |
| manic-depressive illness. This mood disorder often | | | | highs and lows are called episodes of mania and |
| affects adults and may persist throughout life. | | | | depression," said NIMH experts. |
| "Bipolar disorder is a brain disorder that causes | | | | The cause of bipolar disorder is unknown but it can |
| unusual shifts in a person's mood, energy, and ability | | | | be triggered by drug abuse and stressful or traumatic |
| to function. Different from the normal ups and downs | | | | events. The condition tends to run in families, leading |
| that everyone goes through, the symptoms of | | | | some researchers to believe that the problem may |
| bipolar disorder are severe. They can result in | | | | be genetic or due to a hormonal imbalance. |
| damaged relationships, poor job or school | | | | Untreated, the condition can lead to substance or |
| performance, and even suicide. But there is good | | | | alcohol abuse and suicide. |
| news: bipolar disorder can be treated, and people | | | | "Bipolar disorder can have devastating effects on |
| with this illness can lead full and productive lives," | | | | relationships as well as finances stemming from |
| according to the US National Institute of Mental | | | | spending sprees during a manic episode or nearly |
| Health (NIMH). | | | | complete isolation and withdrawal during a depressive |
| The manic phase of this disorder is characterized by | | | | phase," said the Mayo Clinic. |
| feelings of euphoria, extreme optimism, and a high | | | | |