Bipolar disorder (BD) is a type of mood disorder. Bipolar disorder was called manic depression in the past, and that term is still used by some people. It is a psychiatric illness that causes major disruptions in lifestyle and health. Everyone has occasional highs and lows in their moods. But people with bipolar disorder have extreme mood swings. They can go from feeling very sad, despairing, helpless, worthless, and hopeless (depression) to feeling as if they are on top of the world, hyperactive, creative, and grandiose (mania). This disease is called bipolar disorder because the mood of a person with bipolar disorder can alternate between two completely opposite poles, euphoric happiness and extreme sadness.

Symptoms of both mania and depression sometimes occur together, in what is called "mixed state." The extremes of mood usually occur in cycles. In between these mood swings, people with bipolar disorder are able to function normally, hold a job, and have a normal family life. ...more

In bipolar disorder, periods of high moods are called manic episodes, and times of low moods are called depressive episodes. Some people also have mixed episodes, feeling manic and depressed at the same time. Even with treatment, the average person with bipolar disorder has 4 episodes in the first 10 years of the illness. Without treatment, most people will have episodes more often.Signs of manic episodes:
Symptoms of acute manic or mixed episodes may include:
Extremely high or irritable mood
Increased energy, activity, and restlessness
Racing thoughts or talking very fast
Being easily distracted
Feeling little need for sleep

Bipolar disorder (also known as manic depression) causes serious shifts in mood, energy, thinking, and behaviorfrom the highs of mania on one extreme, to the lows of depression on the other. More than just a fleeting good or bad mood, the cycles of bipolar disorder last for days, weeks, or months. And unlike ordinary mood swings, the mood changes of bipolar disorder are so intense that they interfere with your ability to function.

BPI is a psychatric illness.Somtimes mood of the patient is too high he feels too much energy, too much sexual urge n increased sexual activity, he thinks he too important and no one can defeat him. in contarary to reality. At other time he feels too depressed he may have suicidal feeling, feeling of worthlessnes,moods are very sad.
Treatment is always difficult with Lithium salt cabamazepines and ECT on occassions.

Also known as manic depression sickness