Bipolar Affective Disorder, also known as Manic Depression is a medical diagnosis characterized by wide mood alterations, with periods of both depression and mania. A person experiencing depression or mania may have intense mood swings and changes in thinking and behaviour. In most cases, the high pole is experienced as mania and the low pole experienced as depression.
Biological factors seem to play a major role in producing Bipolar Affective Disorder.
The symptoms of Bipolar Affective Disorder manifest with the individual experiencing episodes of mania or elation followed by low mood or depression. The number of manic and depressive episodes varies greatly from person to person and most individuals experience level or balanced periods between their manic and depressive episodes. Manic depression can send a person plunging from a high state, where one may believe one has superhuman energy and abilities, into a pit of despair, where it may seem as if the only way out is suicide. However, in the early stages of the episode, the person may appear to be more sociable, active, talkative, self-confident, perceptive and creative than usual. Whatever the recommended treatment, it is important to be informed.