Bipolar.
What is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar is a mental illness characterized by drastic changes in an individual’s mood, energy levels, and cognitive abilities. These shifts are referred to manic and depressive episodes, or distinctly high and low moods. Based on the types of mood shifts and patterns these shifts, bipolar can be broken down into 4 more specific diagnoses:
- Bipolar I
- Bipolar II
- Cyclothymia
- “Other specified” and “unspecified”
Bipolar I
Bipolar II
Cyclothymia
Symptoms
- Mania
- Depression
Causes
- Genetics
- Stress
- Brain structure and function
Related Conditions
- Anxiety
- Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Substance use disorders/dual diagnosis
Related Articles
7 Bipolar Triggers & Warning Signs You Should Know
There are a lot of words a person could use to describe bipolar disorder -- and ‘predictable’ isn’t one of them. A disorder characterized by vacillations between episodes of high energy (mania) and depression, it’s impossible to know exactly when these episodes will...
What is the Role of Psychotherapy in the Treatment of Bipolar Disorder?
If you’re familiar with what bipolar disorder is--a mental illness that causes extreme mood swings that cycle between dramatic highs and lows which can result in sudden and extreme changes in behavior, mood, cognitive ability, energy levels, and more--it might be hard...
What Is a Bipolar Episode & How To Predict Them
Bipolar disorder is a mental illness estimated to affect 4.4% of Americans. Unfortunately, this serious mental illness is one shrouded with misconceptions that have resulted in harmful stigmas that have been difficult to shake. One of the best ways to reduce the...
Are You Born with Bipolar Disorder or Does it Develop?
Are you born with bipolar disorder or is it a mental illness that occurs when something happens to you? Science tells us that it’s a little bit of both. Your genes, the cell-building codes inherited from your parents, can lay the neurobiological groundwork that causes...
Don’t Struggle Alone.
Get Help Today.
Reaching out for help for yourself or a loved one can be overwhelming and stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. If you are struggling to find the right help, or even know where to get started, please feel free to call our 24/7 helpline.
Begin your mental health journey right now!
