Bipolar disorder is also known as manic depression although this is an
older term that is not much used nowadays. Bipolar disorder is a
mental illness characterized by extreme changes in mood, energy and
activity levels that cause noticeable changes in a person’s
behavior. While many people have periodic ups and downs in their mood,
people with bipolar disorder are unable to function normally at home,
school, or work during the extremes of their illness.
Learn more about bipolar disorder 
TreatmentBipolar disorder is generally treated with medications called mood
stabilizers. If a person is having an acute episode of mania they may
need hospitalization to prevent them from hurting themselves or others
around them. If a person with mania is having psychotic thoughts or
delusions, they will likely be treated with antipsychotic medication
as well. Sometimes injectable medication is needed to control extreme
behavior.
Learn more about treatment for bipolar disorder
Medications such as olanzapine (Zyprexa), risperidone (Risperdal), and
quetiapine (Seroquel) are effective in treating manic symptoms. Other
mood stabilizing medications like lithium, carbamazepine, and
lamotrigine may also be administered to treat acute manic episodes but
they take a longer time to become effective.
Learn more about medications for bipolar disorder
Track your bipolar symptoms to identify patterns and help with your treatment plan. Our progress tracker can be printed or even shared with your healthcare professional electronically.
Progress tracking for Bipolar Disorder
News & ResearchDr. Nassir Ghaemi's new book, A First Rate Madness: Uncovering the Links Between Leadership and Mental Illness, argues that leaders with certain forms of mental illness, especially mania or depression, often perform better in times of crisis.
A new Danish study shows that women who are first seen for psychiatric symptoms within two weeks of giving birth may be at greater risk of a later diagnosis of bipolar disorder. In addition, women first seen in the month after delivery were more than three times as likely to be diagnosed with bipolar disorder as women whose first psychiatric contact was not related to childbirth. The study, published in the Archives of General Psychiatry online, suggests that doctors should assess women carefully for bipolar disorder who present with psychiatric symptoms in the postpartum period.
DiagnosisBipolar symptoms usually start during the teenage years or early
adulthood although it can be years before the disorder is correctly
diagnosed. The disorder tends to run in families and having a close
family member with it significantly increases a person’s risk of
developing it. However, its exact cause is still not clear and there
are multiple factors at work including genetics, brain structure and
chemistry, use of drugs and alcohol, and stressful life events.
Learn more about diagnosing bipolar disorder
This simple questionnaire is designed to help you determine if you have symptoms of bipolar disorder and could benefit from professional help.
Doctor Discussion GuideTalking to your doctor or mental health professional about a bipolar or manic depression disorder can be difficult. Knowing what questions to ask can help. Our Doctor Discussion Guide includes a list of questions you may want to ask. You can even add questions of your own and then print out the list.
Doctor Discussion Guide
