Defining Bipolar Disorder

A walk-through of basic information about bipolar disorder. What is it? What causes it? What are the forms and moods? Answers to all these questions and others can be found here.

It's been found that people with bipolar disorder tend to crave salt. That's not a symptom you'll find in any diagnostic criteria, though. Readers share their idiosyncracies that may be personal markers of bipolar disorder.

If bipolar disorder affects your life in any way, there is a lot you need to do - and certain things you should not do. From dealing with doctors and medications, to helping bipolar children, to dealing with problem relationships, here are ten things you shouldn't do or shouldn't fail to do if bipolar disorder is an element in your life.

A person's view of mental illness can be affected by many things - experience with a mental illness and/or with treatment, encounters with stigma or intolerance, religious beliefs, etc. What does the term mean to you, and why? Share your opinion and read what others have said.

Manic depression is a term commonly used for bipolar disorder. It is actually the earliest name of this disorder used as an official diagnosis. However, bipolar disorder is now the official diagnostic title for this disorder. Why did manic depression become bipolar disorder?

Bad judgment is all too common in bipolar disorder, especially during mania. Readers share their experiences of their actions and the consequences when poor judgment took over.

Textbook definitions of bipolar disorder may not be very enlightening, especially for someone who is or loves someone newly diagnosed. Here we begin our definition of manic depression in easy to understand language.

Mood disorders include depressive disorders, bipolar disorder, and depression, mania/hypomania or mixed symptoms due to a medical condition or substance use. In the last case, the substance can be a medication, alcohol, street drugs or something similar. Here is a brief rundown of each category of mood disorders.

A brief look at the various subsets, descriptions and classifications for bipolar disorder and mood disorders - as defined in the United States and internationally.

Bipolar Disorder is more than mood swings. Features of depression and mania can occur together in mixed episodes; cycles can be slow or very rapid; symptoms of psychosis can be part of mania; or depressed persons can become manic from taking antidepressants. Learn more about an illness that afflicts some of the best and brightest human minds

A trial court judge rules that bipolar disorder is a physical illness and therefore is not subject to mental illness insurance limits. Read about the case.

About Bipolar Disorder Community Coordinator EricaHOST writes an open letter to the newly diagnosed spelling out some truths about bipolar disorder and what you can do to help yourself.

The distinguishing characteristic of Bipolar Disorder, as compared to other mood disorders, is the presence of at least one manic episode. Additionally, it is presumed to be a chronic condition because the vast majority of individuals who have one manic episode have additional episodes in the future.

A good comprehensive look at the characteristics and treatment of bipolar disorder or manic-depressive illness. Though slightly dated, it is still excellent reading for the newly diagnosed and their families or for students.