Bipolar

What is bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder is the name used to describe a set of 'mood swing' conditions, the most severe form of which used to be called 'manic depression'.

Bipolar disorder I is the more severe disorder - with individuals being more likely to experience mania, have longer 'highs', be more likely to have psychotic experiences and be more likely to be hospitalized.

Bipolar disorder II is generally viewed as less severe, with no psychotic experiences, and with episodes tending to last only hours to a few days, but longitudinal studies suggest impairment is often as severe as in bipolar I disorder. The high moods are called mania or hypomania and the low mood is called depression. It is important to note that everyone has mood swings…