What is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar Disorder is characterized by unusual swings in mood and activity that include emotional highs followed by a significantly lower period or episode. The National Institute of Mental Health says that “Bipolar disorder (formerly called manic-depressive illness or manic depression) is a mental disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, concentration, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks.” Periods of emotional high are called manic or hypomanic episodes and the low periods are referred to as depressive episodes, thus the former name for the disorder. Manic periods can last for days or weeks, as can the depressive periods. They may occur only once a year or they may occur closer together. These mood swings usually make daily life difficult because they often affect sleep patterns, energy and activity levels, your judgment, and the ability to think clearly so that your behavior is changed.