Patients
Bipolar Disorder
Signs & Symptoms
Bipolar disorder causes dramatic mood swings from overly "high" and/or irritable to sad and hopeless, and then back again, often with periods of normal mood in between. Severe changes in energy and behavior go along with these changes in mood. The periods of highs and lows are called episodes of mania and depression. More about Signs & Symptoms »
Treatment
Most people with bipolar disorder can achieve substantial stabilization of their mood swings and related symptoms over time with proper treatment. A strategy that combines medication and psychosocial treatment is optimal for managing the disorder over time. More about Treatment »
Results from the NIMH-Funded Systematic Treatment Enhancement Program for Bipolar Disorder (STEP-BD)
Getting Help: Locate Services
Locate mental health services in your area, affordable healthcare, NIMH clinical trials, and listings of professionals and organizations. More about Locating Services »
Related Information
Occurrence with other illnesses
Occurrence in children and adolescents
Information about medications
Bipolar Disorder Information and Organizations from NLM's MedlinePlus? (en Español)
Some mental illnesses also carry an increased risk for suicide.