(formerly known as manic depression): Bipolar disorder is a mental illness categorized as a mood disorder. People with bipolar disorder have periodic mood swings that move between emotional highs known also as mania (elated or gleeful and sometimes aggressive) and lows (feeling hopeless, lethargic, depressed).
During a high period, the person may have a heightened sense of self-esteem and want to pursue more goal-oriented behaviours, talk more and sleep less. For some there may also be hallucinations and delusions.
There are several types of bipolar disorder, including:
- Bipolar I Disorder: Bipolar I is the most severe form of the disease. This involves at least one manic episode that last at least seven days or are severe enough to require immediate hospital care. Depressive episodes often occur as well, typically lasting at least two weeks. The suicide risk is high for this form of the disease.
- Bipolar II Disorder: This type involves a pattern of mostly depressive episodes and some hypomanic episodes, which are less severe than full-blown manic episodes. There are often periods of wellness between episodes, though the risk of suicide remains high for this type of bipolar disorder. It is also a difficult form to detect.
- Cyclothymic Disorder (Cyclothymia): This involves numerous periods of hypomanic symptoms as well as periods of depressive symptoms. Periods of wellness are rare with this form of the disease and as it often starts early in life, the symptoms can be interpreted as a part of the individual’s personality.
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