What is Bipolar Disorder and How is it Treated?

Bipolar disorder is both an incredibly serious and also relatively common mental illness known commonly for causing mood and energy swings. Approximately 2.6% of Americans over the age of 18 suffer from bipolar disorder, which is over 5.7 million people. Of those 5.7 million people, 82.9% claimed to have had severe impairment from their disorder within the last year, the highest percentage of any mood disorder.

While bipolar is order can present itself in different ways, it is always vital that a person who believes they may be suffering from the mood swings associated with this disorder seek the opinion of a medical professional. Bipolar disorder is considered to be a highly treatable illness but also can be incredibly dangerous if left unchecked. People diagnosed with bipolar live on average about years less than someone without mental illness and are almost ten times more likely to commit suicide.

With proper medication and continuous treatment, people suffering from bipolar disorder can experience long periods without experiencing severe symptoms, or any symptoms for a time. This is not necessarily possible for everyone diagnosed with the disorder, however, and it will likely never completely disappear forever.