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Bipolar disorder

Background

Bipolar disorder: Bipolar Affective disorder; Manic Depression

Bipolar affective disorder is a mental health disorder that affects men and women equally. It usually first develops between the ages of 18 to 24 years. The disorder is characterised by mood swings between mania (feeling of elation or euphoria) and depression. Where the manic aspect of bipolar affective disorder is milder and no admission to hospital is necessary, it is called hypomania. There are usually periods of stable mood between episodes of bipolar affective disorder but, in the 'rapid cycling' form of the disorder, there may be few or no periods of stability between episodes. Occasionally, 'mixed' episodes occur, when symptoms of mania and depression can be observed at the same time.

What are the symptoms? View What are the symptoms?

Medical text written May 2005 by Contact a Family. Approved May 2005 by Professor K Ebmeier, Professor of Psychiatry, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK and Chair, Bipolar Guideline Group, Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network.

 

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