Bipolar affective disorder

Alternative names:

affective bipolar disorder; bipolar disorder; manic depressive illness

Definition:

A mood disorder characterized by mood swings from mania (exaggerated feeling of well-being) to depression.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Bipolar affective disorder results in pathological mood swings from mania to depression, with a tendency to recur and subside spontaneously. Either the manic or the depressive episodes can predominate and produce few mood swings, or the patterns of mood swings may be cyclic. The manic phase is characterized by elation, hyperactivity, over-involvement in activities, inflated self-esteem, a tendency to be easily distracted, and little need for sleep. The manic episodes may last from several days to months. In the depressive phase there is sluggishness (inertia), loss of self-esteem, withdrawal, sadness, and a risk of suicide. Some people are known as rapid cyclers and their mood may change several times a day. The disorder appears between the ages of 15 and 25 and affects men and women equally. The cause is unknown, but hereditary and psychological factors may play a role. The incidence is higher in relatives of people with bipolar disorders.