Effective treatments are available that greatly alleviate the suffering caused by bipolar disorder and can usually prevent its devastating complications. These include marital break-ups, job loss, alcohol and drug abuse, and suicide. At least 2 million Americans suffer from manic-depressive illness. For those afflicted with the illness, it is extremely distressing and disruptive. Like other serious illnesses, bipolar disorder is also hard on spouses, family members, friends, and employers.
Bipolar disorder tends to run in families and is believed to be inherited in many cases.
Despite vigorous research efforts, a specific genetic defect associated with the disease has not yet been detected. Bipolar illness has been diagnosed in children under age 12, although it is not common in this age bracket. It may be helpful to think of the various mood states in manic-depressive illness as a spectrum or continuous range. In the other extreme, mania may be the main problem and depression may occur only infrequently. Sensuality is pervasive, the desire to seduce and be seduced is irresistible.