| Are you easily distracted? Do you have | | | | There is rapid speech, agitation, and |
| trouble sleeping? Are you depressed or sad | | | | reckless behavior. Other symptoms are poor |
| one moment and full of confidence and | | | | concentration, difficulty sleeping, poor |
| optimism the next time? Do you find it | | | | judgment, and an unrealistic belief in one's |
| difficult to concentrate? Are you reckless | | | | abilities and powers. |
| and aggressive at times only to lose interest | | | | |
| in everything you do the next moment? | | | | In the depressive phase, the patient may have |
| | | | persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety or |
| If you answered "yes" to the above questions, | | | | guilt, sleep problems, loss of appetite, |
| chances are you're suffering from bipolar | | | | irritability, chronic pain with no known |
| disorder - a mental disorder that affects 222 | | | | cause, and recurring thoughts of suicide. |
| million people worldwide and is the sixth | | | | |
| leading cause of disabilities worldwide. | | | | "Bipolar disorder causes dramatic mood swings |
| | | | - from overly "high" and/or irritable to sad |
| Bipolar disorder is a serious and | | | | and hopeless, and then back again, often with |
| debilitating mental illness that is also | | | | periods of normal mood in between. Severe |
| known as manic-depression or manic-depressive | | | | changes in energy and behavior go along with |
| illness. This mood disorder often affects | | | | these changes in mood. The periods of highs |
| adults and may persist throughout life. | | | | and lows are called episodes of mania and |
| | | | depression," said NIMH experts. |
| "Bipolar disorder is a brain disorder that | | | | |
| causes unusual shifts in a person's mood, | | | | The cause of bipolar disorder is unknown but |
| energy, and ability to function. Different | | | | it can be triggered by drug abuse and |
| from the normal ups and downs that everyone | | | | stressful or traumatic events. The condition |
| goes through, the symptoms of bipolar | | | | tends to run in families, leading some |
| disorder are severe. They can result in | | | | researchers to believe that the problem may |
| damaged relationships, poor job or school | | | | be genetic or due to a hormonal imbalance. |
| performance, and even suicide. But there is | | | | Untreated, the condition can lead to |
| good news: bipolar disorder can be treated, | | | | substance or alcohol abuse and suicide. |
| and people with this illness can lead full | | | | |
| and productive lives," according to the US | | | | "Bipolar disorder can have devastating |
| National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). | | | | effects on relationships as well as finances |
| | | | stemming from spending sprees during a manic |
| The manic phase of this disorder is | | | | episode or nearly complete isolation and |
| characterized by feelings of euphoria, | | | | withdrawal during a depressive phase," said |
| extreme optimism, and a high self-esteem. | | | | the Mayo Clinic. |