Bipolar Disorder Summary Bipolar disorder is a serious mental illness. People who have it go through unusual mood changes. They go from very happy, “up,” and active to very sad and hopeless, “down,” and inactive, and then back again. They often have normal moods in between. The up feeling is called mania. The down feeling is depression. The causes of bipolar disorder aren’t always clear. It runs in families. Abnormal brain structure and function may also play a role. Bipolar disorder often starts in a person’s late teen or early adult years. But children and adults can have bipolar disorder too. The illness usually lasts a lifetime. If you think you may have it, tell your health care provider. A medical checkup can rule out other illnesses that might cause your mood changes. If not treated, bipolar disorder can lead to damaged relationships, poor job or school performance, and even suicide. However, there are effective treatments to control symptoms: medicine and talk therapy. A combination usually works best. NIH: National Institute of Mental Health National Institute of Mental Health Treatments and Therapies Anticonvulsant Drugs for Nerve Pain, Bipolar Disorder and Fibromyalgia Consumers Union of U.S. Bipolar Treatment: Are Bipolar I and Bipolar II Treated Differently? Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Brain Stimulation Therapies National Institute of Mental Health Mental Health Medications National Institute of Mental Health Psychotherapies National Institute of Mental Health Start Here Bipolar Disorder NAMI Bipolar Disorder American Academy of Family Physicians Bipolar Disorder Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Bipolar Disorder National Institute of Mental Health Help With Bipolar Disorders American Psychiatric Association Major Ups and Downs: Bipolar Disorder Brings Extreme Mood Swings National Institutes of Health Array Bipolar disorder Teenagers Bipolar Disorder Nemours Foundation Bipolar Disorder in Children and Teens National Institute of Mental Health Children Bipolar Disorder Nemours Foundation Storm in My Brain: Kids and Mood Disorders (Bipolar Disorder and Depression) Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance Statistics and Research Bipolar Disorder Among Adults National Institute of Mental Health Related Issues Bipolar Disorder and Alcoholism: Are They Related? Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Bipolar Medications and Weight Gain Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Mental Health Providers: Credentials, Services Offered and What to Expect Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Suicide Prevention Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance Clinical Trials Clinical Trials Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance ClinicalTrials.gov: Bipolar Disorder National Institutes of Health Find an Expert Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance Find Your Local NAMI NAMI Help for Mental Illnesses National Institute of Mental Health Mental Health Treatment Program Locator Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration NAMI NAMI National Institute of Mental Health National Institute of Mental Health Psychologist Locator American Psychological Association Genetics Genetics Home Reference: PPM-X syndrome National Library of Medicine Health Check Tools Mental Health Screening Center Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance Living With Personal Calendar: Treatment and Physical Tracking Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance Personal Wellness Tools Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance Journal Articles Bipolar Disorder Specifics Rapid Cycling and Its Treatment Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance Types of Bipolar Disorder Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance Symptoms Signs and Symptoms of Mood Disorders Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance Latest News Depressive Episode May Not Always Follow Mania in Bipolar Disorder HealthDay Lithium Beats Newer Meds for Bipolar Disorder, Study Finds HealthDay
