Bipolar disorder is characterized by moods that can swing from depression to mania, usually with periods of normal moods in between. The episodes of either depression or mania can last anywhere from hours to months. Approximately 2% of Canadians will be diagnosed with bipolar disorder in their lifetime. Generally men and women are equally diagnosed with bipolar disorder but men tend to describe experiences of mania and women will generally describe depression. The mortality rate of people with bipolar disorder is two to three times higher than the general population.  When we talk about diagnosis and treatment, on average a person will see four doctors before obtaining the correct diagnosis of bipolar disorder. There is a spectrum of types of bipolar disorder. Some types you might hear about are: bipolar I, which is mania and depressive episodes with or without psychosis; bipolar II, which is characterized by episodes of major depression alternating with episodes of hypomania which are not severe enough to impair functioning;  cyclothymia, a milder form of bipolar characterized by brief episodes of depression and hypomania. Cyclothymia can also be described as minor cyclic mood disorder. 
 

While in the depression side of bipolar, the symptoms are the same as others experiencing clinical depression. When people are in mania the symptoms are different. For information about the depression side of bipolar disorder click on Depression Information. The other side of bipolar, mania is discussed below.

Someone with bipolar disorder usually experiences one or more manic episodes related to their illness. Mania can take many forms and symptoms can include:

•    Anger and irritability
•    Excessively high, elevated moods
•    Sleeplessness
•    Racing thoughts and ideas,
•    Overspending,
•    Unreasonable optimism
•    Poor judgment  
•    Problems paying attention

Clearly these symptoms can impair a person with bipolar in a number of ways from relationships to working. Although bipolar disorder can be diagnosed at any age, the common age of onset is in one’s early 20’s. Many people will not be correctly diagnosed with bipolar disorder right away. Often when someone with bipolar goes to the doctor, the depression is diagnosed but the doctor may fail to ask certain questions that could lead to a finding of bipolar disorder instead of clinical depression. Bipolar disorder can be mild to severe depending on the symptoms described. There are categories or bipolar disorder including bipolar I, bipolar ii, cyclothymic disorder and bipolar disorder not otherwise specified.

ir child may have bipolar disorder to get professional medical intervention; diagnosis and treatment is critical to children’s success as adults. 


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