Another look at what it means to be Bipolar

Bipolar disorder (manic depression) is a psychiatric diagnostic category describing a class of mood disorders in which the person experiences clinical depression and/or mania, hypomania, and/or mixed states. People suffering from the disorder may be periodically disabled, but many live full and productive lives whether or not they receive adequate treatment. The disorder causes great distress among those afflicted and those living closely with them.

Krapelin's (1921) construct is useful for primary care clinicians, patients and families. It describes variations in two directions (mania and depression) of three aspects: mood, activity and thinking.

Cases of bipolar disorder are generally divided into two diagnostic categories, Bipolar I and Bipolar II. Left untreated, bipolar disorder can be a severely disabling condition, with a risk of death through suicide.

The difference between bipolar disorder and unipolar disorder (also called major depression) is that bipolar disorder involves both elevated and depressive mood states. The duration and intensity of mood states varies widely among people with the illness. Fluctuating from one mood state to the next is called "cycling". Mood swings can cause impairment or improved functioning depending on their severity. There can be changes in one's energy level, sleep pattern, activity level, social rhythms and cognitive functioning. During these times, some people may have difficulty functioning.