Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder, also sometimes called manic-depressive disorder, is a mood disorder in which a person experiences episodes of mania without other etiologies to rule out the diagnosis of bipolar disorder.

Also, possible, and more commonly known, is to have extreme shifts in mood between depression and manic euphoria. These "cycles" which vary in speed, can sometimes affect the victim's levels of motivation, energy, and functioning, can be disabling.

The DSM lists two main types of bipolar disorder (recognized clinically as Bipolar I and Bipolar II), the former of which features more marked mania, along with possible diagnoses of a "single non-recurring manic episode" which may not be called "bipolar disorder".

Treatment of disabling bipolar disorder is with mood stabilizers, prominently lithium salts or some anticonvulsants.