Bipolar affective disorder, formerly known as manic-depressive disorder, has been

identified as a major psychiatric disorder that is characterized by exaggerated mood and behavior

changes, ranging from episodes of high euphoric moods to deep depressions. Persons afflicted

with this disorder typically do not experience mood variability, however their moods are highly

stable at either end of the mood continuum.

The type, severity, and duration of mood disorders vary from person to person. The

mood episodes can last to a few days to as long as several months. Approximately 1 to 2 percent

of the population suffer from this illness, occurring equally in both men and women. The onset

of this disorder is typically displayed around 20 and 29 years of age.

There are two main classifications of bipolar disorder. Bipolar I is diagnosed when a

person has symptoms of manic episodes and has had no depressive episodes in the past.

However, a depressive episode often follows after the first manic episode occurs. Over 90% of

people with Bipolar I experience two or more manic episodes in their lifetime. Bipolar II

patients have a depressed mood followed or preceded by

aggressive, and even violent. One of the most common symptoms of mania is a decreased need

afflicted with bipolar disorder because of the enormous outburst of creativity and productivity

substance abuse, or hormonal fluctuations can also influence the normal chemical imbalance in

factors, which play a role in how these genes may be expressed.

physical or psychological trauma occurs. As a result, an individual may not have a genetic

studies have positively demonstrated that involvement of genetic factors aid in the transmission

the patient deal with their problems.

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