What is bipolar disorder?

Bipolar Disorder is often misunderstood. It is also sometimes referred to as manic depression because of the two extremes between which a sufferer is thrown.

When in the manic state, a person may have excessive energy, feelings of euphoria, decreased need for sleep, heightened sex drive, poor judgement, and many other symptoms. In the depressed state, symptoms may include feelings of sadness, reduced sex drive, anxiety, thoughts of suicide, fatigue, and irritability.

These symptoms are not exhaustive and every person with bipolar disorder is different. Complicating matters, friends and loved ones may not understand the disorder and the severe mood swings, causing a person to feel isolated and alone. Treatment usually involves a combination of medication and psychiatric counseling.

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