Bipolar Disorder

What's the most challenging aspect of bipolar disorder for you?
FAQ
Signs of bipolar disorder include extreme shifts in mood from uncontrollable excitement and energy to feeling intensely sad and lethargic, getting too much or too little sleep, impulsiveness, engaging in risky or inappropriate behavior, hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia.
When speaking to someone with bipolar disorder, avoid using words like “crazy” or “psycho” and phrases that minimize their symptoms, like “everyone has mood swings sometimes” or “you’re lucky you have manic episodes because you’re so productive.”
When bipolar disorder goes untreated, extreme mood swings and shifts in thinking patterns and behavior can lead to substance abuse, insomnia, the inability to work or engage in relationships, isolation, financial crises, and an increased risk of suicide.
Bipolar disorder has a genetic component, as the condition runs in families. However, scientists have not identified any single gene that causes bipolar disorder. Rather, it’s believed that multiple genes, along with environmental factors, lead to the condition.

Angela D. Harper, MD
Medical Reviewer
Angela D. Harper, MD, is in private practice at Columbia Psychiatric Associates in South Carolina, where she provides evaluations, medication management, and psychotherapy for adul...

Eric R. Williams, MD
Medical Reviewer
Eric Williams is the associate dean of student affairs and career advising and associate professor of neuropsychiatry and behavioral science at the University of South Carolina Sch...
Roger S. McIntyre, MD, FRCPC
Medical Reviewer

Kristina D. Carter, PharmD
Medical Reviewer
Kristina D. Carter, PharmD, is a clinical pharmacist and freelance health writer who currently works in a managed care setting, performing quality audits on utilization management ...

Chester Wu, MD
Medical Reviewer
Chester Wu, MD, is double board-certified in psychiatry and sleep medicine. He cares for patients through his private practice in Houston, where he provides evaluations, medication...

April Hirschberg, MD
Medical Reviewer

Allison Young, MD
Medical Reviewer
Allison Young, MD, is a board-certified psychiatrist providing services via telehealth throughout New York and Florida.
In addition to her private practice, Dr. Young serves as an a...

Patrice A. Harris, MD, MA, FAPA
Medical Reviewer
Dr. Patrice Harris is Everyday Health's chief health and medical editor and a board-certified psychiatrist in Atlanta with diverse experience as a private practicing physician, a c...

Heidi Green, MD
Medical Reviewer

Lee S. Cohen, MD
Medical Reviewer
Lee S. Cohen, MD, is an associate professor of clinical psychiatry at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, maintains a clinical practice focused on expert and complex diagnos...

Seth Gillihan, PhD
Medical Reviewer
- Bipolar Disorder. Cleveland Clinic. April 12, 2022.
ALL BIPOLAR DISORDER ARTICLES









