Fact:
Bipolar Disorder affects more than 2 million American adults.

Encouraging News:
This illness is treatable.

Bipolar Disorder is described as mood swings from depression to:
• Elation
• Extreme irritability
• Rapid, unpredictable mood changes
• Overspending
• Working to point of exhaustion
• Lack of sleep
• Feeling of grandiosity
• Aimless traveling
• Rapid and excessive speech

Facts About the Form of Depression Known as Bipolar Disorder
• Bipolar disorder occurs in about one in
• 10 people with clinical depression.
• It usually begins before the age of 30.
• It strikes men and women equally.
• It is twice as likely as major depression to run in families.
• Bipolar disorder triggers more frequent and severe episodes of illness than does major depression

Depression Symptoms
• Feeling sad or blue, or "down in the dumps"
• Loss of interest in things you used to enjoy, including sex
• Feeling worthless, hopeless, or guilty
• Sleeping too little or too much
• Changes in weight or appetite
• Feeling tired or having little or no energy
• Feeling restless
• Problems concentrating or making decisions
• Thoughts of death or suicide

Mania Symptoms
• Increased energy level
• Less need for sleep
• Racing thoughts or mind jumps around
• Easily distracted
• More talkative than usual or feeling pressure to keep talking
• More self-confident than usual
• Focused on getting things done, but often completing little
• Risky or unusual activities to the extreme, even if it's likely bad things will happen

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