Bipolar mood disorder is the new name for what was called manic depressive illness. The new name is used as it better describes the extreme mood swings - from depression and sadness to elation and excitement - that people with this illness experience.

What are the symptoms of bipolar mood disorder?

Elevated mood - the person feels extremely high, happy and full of energy. The experience is often described as feeling on top of the world and being invincible.

Mania: A person in the manic phase may feel indestructible, full of energy, and ready for anything. Other times that person may be irritable and ready to argue with anyone who tries to get in the way.

Irritability - the person may get angry and irritable with people who disagree or dismiss their sometimes unrealistic plans or ideas.

Lack of insight - a person experiencing mania may understand that other people see their ideas and actions as inappropriate, reckless or irrational. However, they are unlikely to recognise the behaviour as inappropriate in themselves.

Without treatment, symptoms usually become more severe, unpleasant, and disruptive, and can lead to suicide in about 15 percent of cases of note, long term treatment with lithium may substantially reduce the suicide rate.

Bipolar Disorder Causes

Exact cause of bipolar disorder has not been discovered, but many experts believe that multiple factors are involved which act together to cause the disease. Bipolar disorder may result from a chemical imbalance within the brain. The brain's functions are controlled by chemicals called neurotransmitters. An imbalance in the levels of one of these neurotransmitters, such as norepinephrine, may cause bipolar disorder. When levels of this chemical are too high, mania occurs. When levels of norepinephrine drop below normal levels, a person may experience depression. Levels of other neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine, are also believed to play a role.

There is a significant genetic component to bipolar disorder. If a family member has bipolar disorder, other family members may be at risk. The identical twin of a person with bipolar disorder is at the highest risk for developing the condition.

What treatments are available?


Bipolar Disorder Treatment
There is no cure for BD but, with proper therapy, people with this disease can lead stable and productive lives. Bipolar disorder will not get better without medical treatment.

Self-Care at Home
Self-care without medical treatment is not recommended. Self-care measures are not effective in relieving symptoms or preventing harmful behavior.

Mood stabilizers. Mood stabilizers are most the commonly prescribed medications for bipolar disorder. These medications help regulate and stabilize mood so that you don't swing between depression and mania. Lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid) has been widely used as a mood stabilizer and is generally the first line of treatment for manic episodes. Your doctor may recommend that you take mood stabilizers for the rest of your life to prevent and treat manic episodes.


Doctors often treat the mania symptoms with one set of drugs, and use other drugs to treat depression. Certain drugs are also used for "maintenance" -- to maintain a steady mood over time. Antidepressants are usually not used alone because they may cause manic attacks in depressed patients.