Bipolar disorder is a mental disorder where the sufferer goes through episodes of manic highs, which refer to a significantly elevated mood, and episodes of lows or depressive mood, in a cyclical pattern, with periods of normal moods between swings. Earlier, this disorder used to be called manic depression.

While most people may feel that they have experienced periods of mood swings, these in themselves are not a disorder. Bipolar disorder has specific markers, must be diagnosed by a trained diagnostician, and is treatable.

Bipolar disorder is thought to be largely caused by genetic predispositions, although environmental factors such as stress and trauma may play a role in exacerbating the condition. Its onset is usually seen in adulthood.

It is more appropriate to speak of this disorder in the plural — as bipolar disorders, as there are three distinct forms that present themselves. These forms are bipolar disorder I, bipolar disorder II, and Cyclothymia.

Bipolar disorder I
In this form of the disorder, while the sufferer goes through both highs and lows, the manic phases are particularly intense, and diagnosis usually happens in the manic phase. During this phase, the person can be expected to feel euphoric; displaying very high spirits, or even be “keyed up”, hyperalert and irritable, distracted and hyperactive.

Bipolar disorder II
This is quite the opposite of bipolar disorder I, where the depressive phases are quite intense, pushing the person to seek treatment. The manic phases are milder, also called hypomania. In this case, while the manic phases do not tend to cause problems, the depressive phases can be very severe, rendering the person dysfunctional during episodes. These phases make the person experience intense sadness, hopelessness and negative thought patterns, along with sleep and appetite disturbances.

Cyclothymia
While mood swings feature in cyclothymia too, both manic and depressive symptoms are less severe than in bipolar disorders I and II, with several episodes cycling at somewhat constant intervals. While the highs and lows are perceived, they are not as intense.

Treatment options
Despite the potentially dysfunctional nature of these diseases, all three forms of bipolar disorders are very amenable to treatment. Disorders I and II respond best to medication, and psychotherapy may be added to the protocol depending upon subjective factors. There is no single treatment protocol; a period of trial and error might be necessary to understand which procedure elicits the best response in each person.

Usually, mood stabilizers are prescribed to address the issue of fluctuating moods, while antidepressants may also be necessary, especially if depressive symptoms are severe, as in the case of bipolar disorder II. In a few severe cases, electroconvulsive therapy may also be called for.

In the case of cyclothymia, since the swings between emotional extremes are less severe, dialogue-based therapy can help significantly. The doctor might also choose to prescribe medication, which usually tapers off over time as the symptoms ease.

While medical intervention is absolutely necessary, persons diagnosed with this disorder can proactively manage their conditions by actively avoiding or controlling stress, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and by cultivating routines that are calming and grounding.