Bipolar Disorder an Overview

A Disorder that Affects Moods
Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that causes episodes of depression (sadness and hopelessness) and episodes of mania (severely elevated mood). These episodes commonly affect your energy level, behavior, ability to function, and your ability to think clearly or make sound decisions.1

While there is no known cure for bipolar disorder, some medications have been approved to treat the different phases of bipolar disorder.

A Range of Moods
It may be helpful to think of the various mood states in bipolar disorder as a range:

At one end of the range, there is severe mania. Mania is characterized by periods of elated mood, which can include racing thoughts, extreme irritability, or reckless behavior
In the middle, there is the normal or balanced mood state. This is a time during which you are relatively free of the signs and symptoms associated with bipolar disorder
At the other end of the range, there is depression, which can be mild to moderate or severe. Depression involves overwhelming feelings of sadness, worthlessness, and hopelessness

The episodes of bipolar disorder can interfere with your daily life, making it more difficult to accomplish and enjoy the things you normally do. However, by working with your health care provider you can receive treatment that’s appropriate for you.