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What
is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder,
which is also known as manic-depressive illness and will be
called by both names throughout this publication, is a mental
illness involving episodes of serious mania and depression.
The person's mood usually swings from overly "high" and irritable
to sad and hopeless, and then back again, with periods of normal
mood in between.
Bipolar disorder
typically begins in adolescence or early adulthood and continues
throughout life. It is often not recognized as an illness and
people who have it may suffer needlessly for years or even decades.
Effective treatments
are available that greatly alleviate the suffering caused by
bipolar disorder and can usually prevent its devastating complications.
These include marital breakups, job loss, alcohol and drug abuse,
and suicide.
Here are some facts
about bipolar disorder.
FOR ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION ABOUT DEPRESSION
WRITE TO:
DEPRESSION
6001 Executive Boulevard, Rm. 8184, MSC 9663
Bethesda, MD 20892-9663
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