Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression, is a severe mental illness characterized by instances of wide mood swings with periods of normal mood in between. These mood swings range from what is known as manic episodes to depressive episodes.

During a manic episode, a person with bipolar disorder may experience increased energy, sharpened and creative thinking, excessive self-confidence, inflated self-esteem, irritability, talking fast, increased sex drive, increased spending, and increased social activity.

During a depressive episode, a person with bipolar disorder may experience low energy, sadness, difficulty concentrating, thoughts of suicide, change in appetite or weight, and hopelessness.

An estimated 2 million Americans suffer from bipolar disorder, which typically begins in adolescence or early adulthood and continues throughout a person's life. Often not recognized as an illness, especially early in the course of the illness, bipolar disorder tends to run in families. If left untreated, bipolar disorder tends to worsen and the person may experience episodes of intensifying mania and clinical depression.

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