bipolar disorder, formerly manic-depressive disorder or manic-depression, severe mental disorder involving manic episodes that are usually accompanied by episodes of depression depression, in psychiatry, a symptom of mood disorder characterized by intense feelings of loss, sadness, hopelessness, failure, and rejection. The two major types of mood disorder are unipolar disorder, also called major depression, and bipolar disorder, whose
..... Click the link for more information. . The term "manic-depression" was introduced by the German psychiatrist Emil Kraepelin Kraepelin, Emil (krĕpəlēn`), 1856–1926, German psychiatrist, educated at Würzburg (M.D., 1878).
..... Click the link for more information. in 1896. The manic phase of the disorder is characterized by an abnormally elevated or irritable mood, grandiosity, sleeplessness, extravagance, and a tendency toward irrational judgment. During the depressed phase, the person tends to appear lethargic and withdrawn, shows a lack of concentration, and expresses feelings of worthlessness, self-blame, and guilt. This dual character of the disorder has given it the name bipolar disorder, in contrast to the unipolar depression symptomatic of the majority of mood disorders. The symptoms range in intensity and pattern and may not be recognized at first. Individuals suffering from bipolar disorder may have long periods in their lives without episodes of mania or depression, but manic-depressives have the highest suicide rate of any group with a psychological disorder.

Incidence

Estimates suggest that about 2 million Americans suffer from bipolar disorders. Symptoms usually appear in adolescence or early adulthood and continue throughout life. The disorder occurs in males and females equally and is found more frequently in close relatives of people already known to have it.. It has had notable incidence among creative individuals, affecting such artists as Hector Berlioz, Gustav Mahler, Ernest Hemingway, and Virginia Woolf.

Treatment

Therapy includes lithium lithium (lĭth`ēəm) [Gr.,=stone], metallic chemical element; symbol Li; at. no. 3; at. wt. 6.941; m.p. about 180.54°C;; b.p.
..... Click the link for more information. (to control mania and stabilize mood swings), anticonvulsant drugs such as valproate and carbamazepine, and antidepressants antidepressant, any of a wide range of drugs used to treat psychic depression . They are given to elevate mood, counter suicidal thoughts, and increase the effectiveness of psychotherapy .
..... Click the link for more information. . Electroconvulsive therapy electroconvulsive therapy in psychiatry, treatment of mood disorders by means of electricity; the broader term "shock therapy" also includes the use of chemical agents.
..... Click the link for more information. has been useful in cases where other treatments have had little success. Psychotherapy can provide support to the patient and the family.

Bibliography

See F. K. Goodwin and K. R. Jamison, Manic-Depressive Illness (1990); publications of the National Institute of Mental Health.

bipolar disorder

or manic-depressive psychosis

Mental illness characterized by the alternation of manic and depressive states. Depression is the more common symptom, and many patients experience only a brief period of overoptimism and mild euphoria during the manic phase. The condition, which seems to be inheritable, probably arises from malregulation of the amines norepinephrine, dopamine, and 5-hydroxytryptamine. It is most commonly treated with lithium carbonate.

bipolar disorder [bī′pō·lər dis′ȯrd·ər]

(psychology)

A major affective disorder in which there are episodes of both mania and depression. Also known as manic-depressive illness.