Understanding Bipolar Disorder

An estimated 5.7 million Americans have bipolar disorder—a condition that can strike anybody, regardless of age, income, race, or gender. Although the disorder lasts a lifetime, with proper diagnosis and treatment, it can be managed.

If you think you may have bipolar disorder, it's important to seek medical treatment as soon as possible, so be sure to make an appointment with your doctor. If you're confused about the condition, consider the following statements. If you answer "that's me" to several, you may be at risk.

• feel like I'm on top of the world.
• feel powerful.
• can do anything I want, nothing can stop me.
• have lots of energy.
• don't seem to need much sleep.
• feel restless all the time.
• feel really mad.
• have a lot of sexual energy.
• can’t focus on anything for very long.
• sometimes can't stop talking and I talk really fast.
• I'm spending lots of money on things I don't need and can't afford.
• Friends tell me that I've been acting differently. They tell me that I'm starting fights, talking louder, and getting angrier.
• am really sad most of the time.
• don't enjoy doing the things I've always enjoyed doing.
• don't sleep well at night, and I'm very restless.
• am always tired. I find it hard to get out of bed.
• don't feel like eating much.
• feel like eating all the time.
• have lots of aches and pains that don't go away.
• have little to no sexual energy.
• find it hard to focus and am very forgetful.

In addition to getting checked for bipolar disorder, you'll want the doctor to check for any other illness that may be causing your moods to change.

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