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Bipolar disorder

What is it?

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression, is when people have episodes of depression and mania. Mania is a state of highly excited and uncontrolled behaviour. In the manic states, unlike the depressive phase, the person may feel marvellous and deny vehemently there is anything wrong.

How common is it?

Less than 1 in 100 people are affected by the disorder.

What age range does it affect?

It is extremely rare before puberty, but becomes more common during teenage years and adult life.

Symptoms

  • Depression, moodiness, irritability, excitement or elation
  • Very rapid speech
  • Loss of energy or excessive energy
  • Loss of appetite and weight
  • Problems sleeping
  • Neglect of personal care
  • Withdrawal from family and friends, or excessive sociability
  • Feelings of guilt, hopelessness, worthlessness, or inflated ideas about themselves or their abilities
  • Reckless behaviour, spending excessive amounts of money
  • Unusual or bizarre ideas, beliefs or experiences
  • Preoccupations with death, suicide attempts

Between the ‘highs’ and ‘lows’, there are usually normal periods which may last for weeks or months.

Regular Causes

  • Often bipolar disorder runs in families, but usually is combined with a ‘trigger’ event
  • Stressful life events e.g. relationship breakdown, money problems
  • Abuse in early life, including children who have been over-protected or over-criticised (as they may have a more fragile sense of self esteem)
  • It is possible that mania is a way for some people to escape long episodes of depression

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