At least 2 million Americans suffer from bipolar disorder, more commonly known as manic-depression. This illness usually begins in adolescence or early adulthood and continues throughout life. Although it may come into affect at any time, most individuals with the disorder experience their first mood episode in their 20's. However, manic-depression quite often strike teenagers and has been diagnosed in children under 12.

The risk of suicide among persons afflicted with bipolar illness is unrealistically high. As many as 1 in 5 people with this disorder have committed suicide. This rate is nearly 30 times greater than that of the general population. Research suggests that people who commit suicide, whether depressed or not, tend to be more impulsive in their behavior. Manic-depressives, due to their spontaneous nature, are more likely to commit suicide than depressives.

Manic depression involves alternating episodes of serious mania and depression. An affected person's mood can swing from excessive highs (mania) to deep hopelessness (depression), usually with periods of normal mood in between. Some individuals may display mixed symptoms of both mania and depression at the sa

Salmans, Sandra. Depression: Questions You Have...Answers You Need.

Genetic investigations have shown that biological factors play a major role in producing the illness as well. Often manic-depressiveness tends to run in families. More than one-third of the close relatives of people with manic-depression themselves may have a mood disorder of one type or another during the course of their lives. Genetic, biological, environmental, stress and personality are all factors which can contribute to manic-depression.

What is Bipolar Disorder?: An Overview: [Online] Available http://www.harbor-of-refuge.org/, January 21, 1999.

Allentown, Pennsylvania: People's Medical Society, 1995.

As many as two-thirds of the people in the United States who are experiencing some form of bipolar disorder are undiagnosed, misdiagnosed, or being poorly treated for this illness. Certainly there is no one perfect treatment for sufferers of bipolar disorder. Nevertheless, the episodes which occur with the illness can be stabilized with proper treatment. This is why it is necessary for these individuals to step forward, before drastic events take place. Bipolar disorder is a very serious illness which should not be regarded as a stigma to society, but rather an opportunity to assist fellow humans in need.

Young, Patrick. Mental Disturbances. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1988.

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