Bipolar

= = = __Bipolar Disorder__ = Also related to: //ADHD//, //Anxiety Disorders//

Otherwise known as //Manic Depressive Disorder,// Bipolar Disorder is a psychiatric disorder in which a person experiences abnormally elevated, and sometimes depressive, states for periods of a time. People who are bipolar usually are diagnosed when they are in their childhood and early adulthood. There are 4 types of Bipolar Disorders. Bipolar 1, Bipolar 2, Cyclothymic Disorder, and Bipolar Disorder NOS (Not Otherwise Specified).

__**Symptoms**__ :
 * Depression
 * Elevated Mood Swings
 * Mixed Emotions

__**Causes**__ : Causes for Bipolar Disorder are different for everyone. People who are bipolar appear to have physical changes in their brain. Other causes are an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain. People who have a relative that have bipolar disorder like a brother, sister, or parent, are more likely to inherit the genetic code for bipolar disorder.

__**Risk Factors**__:
 * Having relatives who are bipolar
 * Periods of high stress
 * Drug or alcohol abuse
 * Major life changing event
 * Being between the ages of 15 and 30

**__Treatment__** : Treatment for Bipolar Disorder varies between each individual who is bipolar. You should go to a hospital if you are behaving dangerously, feeling suicidal, or a feeling of //detachment// from society. For people who don't feel like that, you can go to your doctor and get medications. When you have control of your mood swings, it is best to talk to your doctor and figure out a long term treatment. For people who abuse drugs and alcohol, you should get abuse treatment first. Otherwise it will be very difficult to control your disorder.

Mayo Clinic. "Bipolar Disorder." //Mayo Clinic//. N.p., 5 Jan. 2010. Web. 14 Apr. 2011. .
 * __ Sources __**:

Wikipedia.org

Miller, Allen R, Ph.D. //Living with Depression//. New York: Facts on Files, 2008. Print.