| Mental health authorities estimate that more than 2 | | | | distractibility, and increased aggression. Depressive |
| million adults have been diagnosed with bipolar | | | | episodes bring about excessive feelings of despair, |
| disorder (also called manic-depression), a chemical | | | | hopelessness, worthlessness, guilt, and sometimes |
| imbalance in the brain causing extreme mood swings | | | | thoughts of suicide. |
| from manic highs to agonizing lows. Although a | | | | Bipolar disorder affects both sexes in children to |
| diagnosis of bipolar disorder can be frightening and | | | | adults: Manic depression is not selective in who it |
| confusing, it is a treatable and manageable condition. | | | | touches. Women and men are equally affected, as |
| If you or someone close to you has been diagnosed | | | | are children and adolescents (although a diagnosis in |
| with bipolar illness, the first step in relieving fear and | | | | children and teens is more difficult to determine). A |
| uncertainty is education. The more you know about | | | | majority of those diagnosed with bipolar disorder |
| the disorder, the less control it will exert over you | | | | have a least one family member with the illness. And |
| and others who may be affected. | | | | children of parents with the illness are more likely to |
| The National Institute of Mental Health ( The National | | | | develop it themselves. |
| Alliance for the Mentally Ill ( and The National Mental | | | | Bipolar disorder has effective treatment modalities: |
| Health Association ( are just a few of the recognized | | | | Bipolar disorder is treated with medications, called |
| national organizations providing information, facts and | | | | mood stabilizers, to assist in controlling fluctuation in |
| support to anyone who may be directly or indirectly | | | | moods. The important thing to understand about |
| affected by bipolar disorder. | | | | bipolar disorder is that it is a life-long, recurring illness |
| Below are some essential facts about bipolar disorder | | | | requiring ongoing care. In addition to medication, |
| provided by these organizations that may alleviate | | | | psychotherapy is also prescribed in the management |
| some of your concerns and questions surrounding a | | | | of the illness. Psychotherapy assists people to |
| recent diagnosis. | | | | understand their illness and to develop coping skills to |
| Bipolar disorder affects many people: According to | | | | help deal with life events and stressors that may |
| the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), bipolar | | | | trigger manic and depressive episodes. |
| disorder affects approximately 2.3 million adults, or 1.2 | | | | Bipolar disorder has no cure: As of today, there is no |
| percent of the population, in any given year. | | | | known cure for bipolar disorder; however, it is a |
| Bipolar disorder has many potential causes: There | | | | treatable and manageable illness. With a close |
| does not appear to be one cause for bipolar disorder. | | | | relationship with a mental health professional, a proper |
| Evidence suggests that many components may | | | | diagnosis, and vigilant adherence to taking medications |
| come into play, all of which affect the chemical | | | | and sticking to prescribed treatment plans, most |
| balance of certain parts of the brain. Several studies | | | | individuals with bipolar illness lead very productive and |
| on the occurrence of bipolar disorder in families | | | | rewarding lives. |
| demonstrate a genetic disposition toward the illness. | | | | These are just a few of the facts pertaining to |
| Other factors may include extremely traumatic life | | | | bipolar disorder. It is not a simple illness, yet it is |
| events, chronic illness, alcoholism, and drug abuse. | | | | manageable and treatable. If you or someone you |
| Bipolar disorder has varied symptoms: The most | | | | know has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, do |
| pronounced symptoms of bipolar disorder are | | | | not hesitate to seek information and help. Any one |
| dramatic mood swings consisting of extremely "high" | | | | of the above-mentioned organizations can offer you |
| manic episodes to debilitating episodes of depression | | | | education, guidance, and support. Obtaining |
| and then back again with relatively normal moods in | | | | knowledge is one of your first steps in alleviating the |
| between. Behaviors during a manic episode include | | | | uncertainty and anxiety of dealing with such a |
| heightened feelings of euphoria, extreme energy, | | | | diagnosis. |
| decreased need for sleep, extreme irritability and | | | | |