Engendering both manic and depressive episodes, sometimes book-ended, and sometimes featuring moments of “normal” or stabilized mood, this illness impacts approximately 60 million people worldwide. Manic episodes can contain elevated or irritable mood, hyperactivity, inflated self-esteem and a lack of desire to sleep. Hypomania are a less severe form of mania. Depressive episodes are often characterized by feelings of extreme sadness, hopelessness, little energy, and trouble sleeping. While the cause of bipolar is not entirely known, a mixture of genetic, neurochemical and environmental factors can play a role in the progression of the illness, which can be treated through medication and psychosocial support.
