Bipolar
Disorder (BD) is a disease that involves mood changes and disorders.
Bipolar disorder has been called manic depression, and that term is
still used by some people. It is a psychiatric disability that causes
major disruptions in lifestyle and health.
Most people start
showing signs of Bipolar Disorder in their late teens (the average age
of onset is 21 years). These signs may be dismissed as "growing pains"
or normal teenage behavior. On occasion, some people have their first
symptoms during childhood, but the condition can often be misdiagnosed
at this age and improperly labeled as a behavioral problem or a
condition such as ADHD or depression. Bipolar Disorder may not be
properly diagnosed until the sufferer is 25-40 years old, at which time
the pattern of symptoms may become clearer.
- Severe
depression can be life-threatening. It may be associated with thoughts
of suicide, actual acts of suicide, and, in some cases, even acts of
homicide.
- Extreme mania can lead to aggressive behavior, potentially dangerous risk-taking behaviors, and homicidal acts.
- A
number of people with Bipolar Disorder have been known to turn to drugs
and alcohol in order to "self-treat" their emotional disorder,
resulting in substance abuse and dependence.
- Bipolar
Disorder occurs in both men and women. About 5.7 million people in the
United States have the disorder. There is no racial group that is more
afflicted by this disease. Bipolar Disorder knows no bounds. It affects
all races and all ages. It does not care who you are, what you do or
where you live.
Because of the extreme and risky
behavior that occasionally occurs with Bipolar Disorder, it is very
important that the disorder be properly identified. With proper and
early diagnosis, Bipolar Disorder can be treated. Bipolar Disorder is a
long-term illness that will require proper management for the duration
of a person's life.