Bipolar Disorder Clinics: What Is Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a mental condition where an individual will experience severe mood swings that go back and forth between the highs of mania and the lows of depression. This is not the typical ups and downs we all experience from time to time where typically something happens to change our mood so drastically. These swings are severe and can often come out of nowhere. When bipolar disorder is untreated it can result in an individual’s life being turned completely upside down. Common effects of untreated bipolar disorder include damaged relationships, poor job or school performance and even suicide. This brain disorder can make you feel as if you have no control over your feelings, energy levels and direction in life.

Being that the two extremes of bipolar disorder, also commonly referred to as manic-depressive illness, are literally polar opposites from one another, doctors will often have a difficult time diagnosing it. They’ll mistakenly think that the individual is suffering from two separate issues, rather than the one complicated illness they actually are. Unfortunately, a large portion of the population with bipolar disorder will suffer for years before they receive a proper diagnosis and subsequent treatment, which can greatly impede their ability to be a composed, contributing member of society.

Types of Bipolar Disorder

Since bipolar disorder can be difficult to diagnose at first and every sufferer is different, it’s important to have a solid grasp of the different types of bipolar disorder people experience. Regardless of type, over 50 percent of sufferers start to experience these symptoms by their late teens or early adult years, although others develop them as early as childhood or later in life as well.

Bipolar I Disorder– Bipolar I disorder is the most severe version of the illness. The mood swings with Bipolar I can make it incredibly difficult to find success in your job, studies or relationships. It’s also important to note that the manic episodes associated with Bipolar I can be downright dangerous.

Bipolar II Disorder– While this subset of bipolar disorder is less severe than Bipolar I, it can still cause substantial disruption in your life without treatment. Bipolar II disorder usually comes with a less severe form of mania, however the depressive phases far outlast the manic phases here.

Cyclothymic Disorder– This is a fairly mild form of bipolar disorder. You still experience swings of depression and a less severe form of mania, but the highs are not as high and the lows are not as low with this subset as compared to the others.

Patty Duke to speak at Children's Center event
She was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 1982 and is widely seen as being the first celebrity to speak out about her own mental illness — through two autobiographies, "Call Me Anna" and "A Brilliant Madness," as well as many speaking engagements. Read more on The Columbian

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