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”
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
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