WHAT IS BIPOLAR DISORDER?

Bipolar disorder is a complex illness which can vary a great deal in nature and severity between people.

People with bipolar disorder have problems with their moods, experiencing extreme highs and lows.

If you have bipolar disorder you will experience periods or “episodes” of highs known as mania or hypomania, and usually, periods of depression. You may also have problems with thinking and perception, which can include symptoms of psychosis. This can include thinking things that are not true and seeing or hearing things that are not there.

Research suggests that bipolar disorder runs in families, and genes can influence whether someone develops the illness.

We also know that the brain systems involved in controlling our moods work differently in people with bipolar disorder.

Factors such as life stress, lack of sleep and recreational drugs can trigger mood episodes.

For women, the risk of becoming unwell can increase significantly in the period following childbirth.

Bipolar disorder can cause a great deal of distress, but there is a lot that can be done to stay as well as possible. This includes lifestyle changes, medication and talking treatments. To find out more, visit www.bipolaruk.org