What is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a psychiatric affective disorder/ condition, in which the patient suffers from sudden mood changes. If these mood changes are abnormally elevated and filled with energy, the condition is known as mania. If however, the patient feels extremely “down” and struggles with depressive states, the condition is known as “hypomania”.

everal medical studies have shown that people who are involved with creativity processes (such as painting for example), are more prone to develop bipolar disorder. One very good example to sustain this is Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh, who has suffered from bipolar condition.

Bipolar treatment usually involves drug therapy with lithium and anticonvulsants. These are always prescribed by a clinician, and their role is to keep the patient on a floating line, that is to keep him balanced and be able to avoid these sudden mood swings. Several bipolar patients who do not follow precisely their treatment, might fall into an extremely deep depression, and go as far as commit suicide.

If the bipolar symptoms are recognized early enough, treatment can become a success. It is important to know that bipolar is a recurrent condition, and one which lasts for the entire lifetime of the patient. It is not a health condition that can be “healed” in the strict sense of the word.  People, who have other family members with this condition, must be very supportive with them. Emotional support is extremely important, and only like this can patients with bipolar lead a normal life, one which is not driven by too many manic episodes.