Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder characterized by extreme shifts in mood, energy, and activity levels. This lifelong condition requires management, and often involves periods of mania — experienced as elation or irritability — and periods of depression. Depending on the type of bipolar disorder, individuals may experience these mood episodes interspersed with periods of stable mood and functioning. The disorder can significantly impact everyday life, leading to impaired thinking and difficulty with day-to-day activities. It may even cause breaks from reality, such as hallucinations or delusions, in severe cases.