Bipolar Illness (Collection: Mental Health )

Bipolar illness is a condition wherein a person swings between states of depression (low mood and energy) and mania (heightened, elevated, ecstatic mood and energy). Different types of Bipolar illness are distinguished based on how just how low or high people get. A person diagnosed with Bipolar I has a documented history of full-blown Clinical Depression that alternates with a full-blown Clinical Mania. In Bipolar II (a milder form of Bipolar), full-blown Depression alternates with a mild manic state known as a "hypomanic" state (more energy than normal, but less than in a true full-blown mania). The treatment of choice is a mood stabilizing medication such as Lithium, Depakote (Valproic Acid) or Tegretol, supplemented with psychotherapy to educate about the disorder, reinforce medication compliance and to develop coping skills. See the discussion of symptoms in the Bipolar Center.

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