Bipolar Disorder: a short introductory guide

Bipolar disorder, previously called manic depression, is an example of a mood disorder and involves two extremes of mood – depression and mania. It affects men and women equally and symptoms usually appear in 15-25 year olds. Features of depression are withdrawal from social contact, extreme sadness and feelings of futility and worthlessness, whereas those of mania are elation, hyperactivity, flighty ideas, rapid speech and poor judgment.

This short introduction is designed to answer your most pressing questions about the nature of bipolar disorder, its diagnosis, treatment and self-help options.