Bipolar Disorder

Manic-depressive illness, known in medical terms as bipolar disorder, is characterized by severe swings in high and low mood states that generally last weeks or months. Close relatives of people suffering from bipolar illness are 10 to 20 times more likely to develop either depression or manic-depressive illness than the general population. Unlike major depression, which can occur at any age, manic-depressive illness usually strikes before the age of 35. Symptoms for manic episodes usually consist of euphoria constant talkativeness or movement, complex thoughts, need for less sleep, distractibility, and reckless behavior. When severe mania sets in, the dividing line between fantasy and reality is crossed. Delusional notional, paranoia, hallucinations and disorganized behavior may be seen in full-blown mania, with patients requiring hospitalization to protect both themselves and those around them.

Untreated, the manic phase can last as long as three months. As it abates, the p...