Bipolar Disorder was previously known as Manic Depressive Disorder and is also known as Manic Depression or Bipolar Affective Disorder. Bipolar Disorder is a psychiatric or mental disorder. It is characterized by mood swings from one end of the spectrum to the other. At one end of the spectrum is elation or mania as it also called. When the mania or elation is extremely elevated it is called hypermania and when it is less elevated and closer to normal mood swings it is called hypomania. On the other side of the spectrum are very low moods, which are episodes of depression, from mild depression to major depression episodes. Though more often than not people with Bipolar Disorder will experience either elevated moods, or low moods sometime both mania and depression are present at the same time and this is aptly called mixed bipolar episodes. Some people can experience a period when they actually have normal moods, but more often than not, the moods shift quickly and this is called rapid cycling.

Prevalence

It is estimated that about one to 5 percent of the population suffer from Bipolar Disorder depending upon the different subtypes such as cyclothymia, which is a milder form of Bipolar II disorder. The cyclothymia sufferers bounce between episodes of hypomania and dysthymic mood, which is a milder form of depression. The onset of Bipolar Disorder usually occurs in late adolescence and early adulthood. The diagnosis is based on observed behavior and self reports. The disorder can spur on some great moments of creativity or it can render a person totally incapacitated and suicidal. The hypermania phase of the disorder can be misdiagnosed for schizophrenia because of the tendency for bizarre thinking.

There is a link between bipolar disorder and family history. Research is going on to find chromosomal links, but the findings are inclusive at present. There are some studies showing that children with depression, irritability, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder may later go on to contract Bipolar Disorder, also a history of stimulates ingested by young children seems to point to the possibility of later developing Bipolar Disorder. Again these studies are relatively new and nothing conclusive can be extrapolated at this time.

However, equally important are the environmental factors such as stress, family and job related problems. Treatment includes mood stabilizing drugs and therapy. However, much of the problem, is the social stigma and lack of compassion by the general public which adds to the emotions or moods of bipolar disorder sufferers.

Cognitive impairments are very rare, if any exists; they are only picked up through diagnostic testing. However, it is not really known if cognitive impairment is caused by Bipolar Disorder as the order is primarily a mood disorder.

Creativity

Many people afflicted with Bipolar Disorder are very creative people and often work in the arts. The classic example is that of Patty Duke Astin. There are studies pointing to the correlation between great creativity and Bipolar Disorder, though the connection has not been sufficiently studied to make any real conclusions at this time.

There has been over 25 years of neurological studies going on to find any brain abnormalities associated with Bipolar Disorder. Different areas such as the amygdala and hippocampus areas of the brain are implicated in this disorder. The Kindling Theory purports that people who are predisposed to Bipolar Disorder and who are exposed to a series of stressful events will experience changes in the hypothalamus pituitary adrenal axis of the brain.

The Bipolar Disorder diagnosis is often difficult because the disorder could also co-exist with other conditions such as social phobias, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Panic Disorders, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. This disorder can also be misdiagnosed for Schizophrenia, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and abused and neglected children may just be reacting to the atrocities that are recurring in their lives when they are given this diagnosis.

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