Bipolar disorder is a widespread psychiatric disorder for which effective treatment exists but sadly a high proportion remain untreated, undiagnosed or misdiagnosed and endure considerable suffering with increasing disability over time.
A recent study at the University of Edinburgh showed greater loss of grey matter (brain tissue) in bipolar individuals than others. Also a correlation was found between the amount of loss and the number of manic episodes which tends towards the probability that bipolar disorder is a disease of the brain.
Bipolar individuals are often highly intelligent, creative and high achievers as evidenced by the number of celebrities with bipolar. However because bipolar impairs cognitive functioning (eg the ability to think, remember and reason normally) uncontrolled bipolar can lead to poor work performance and difficulty in remain gainfully employed. Hence the significantly higher rates of unemployment amongst bipolar individuals.
The illness can be difficult to diagnose and treat as often it does not occur in isolation and is compounded by other factors such as drug or alcohol abuse etc. Whether the one causes the other or visa versa is not yet established but the more likely held view is that bipolar is responsible.
Bipolar disorder is characterized by excessive mood swings between the upward highs on the mania side and the low downs on the depressive side and sometimes periods of normality in-between. Depending on the type, duration and frequency of episodes bipolar may be classed as Bipolar I Disorder, Bipolar II Disorder or Rapid Cycling Bipolar Disorder. Episodes on the high side may be manic, hypomanic or mixed.
There are several neurological and physical problems that seem to be more prevalent in bipolar disorder individuals compared to the general population eg migraines, anxiety disorders, ADHD
People with bipolar disorder can be normal for long stretches of time before suffering either mania or depression. The cause of bipolar is not yet established.
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