Bipolar Disorder affects about 5.7 million adults in the United States of America. 2.6% of those at age 18 or under in the U.S. are affected by this disorder. It was formerly called “Manic Depression”, but psychologists have found that name misleading. The definition of Bipolar Disorder is a mental illness that brings severe high and low moods and changes in sleep, energy, thinking, and behavior. The difference between moodiness and Bipolar Disorder is that moodiness is normal behavior. Bipolar Disorder is extreme mania (happiness and depression) that affects the quality of an individual’s life. There has not been a discovery of a specifically individual cause of Bipolar Disorder. It is usually hereditary as a person’s genes can hold the disorder. ⅔ of those with Bipolar Disorder have a close relative that also suffers from it. The average age of onset is 25, but it can start anytime throughout an individual’s lifetime. Bipolar Disorder can be triggered by stress, or changes in the brain. Those with Bipolar Disorder go through what are called the highs and lows. These are states that switch between each other and can last for long periods of time. The highs are as listed: Excessive happiness, hopefulness, etc. Sudden …show more content…
It is not like cancer, that when you die, you fought a courageous battle. It is more like losing a fight that was never in your favor, because if you die it’s not from being sick, or having a heart that wasn’t strong enough. It’s because you commit suicide, from your mind not being strong enough. Those with Bipolar Disorder are put through major bouts of depression, which is defined as strong feelings of despondency and dejection. Without the help of medication or therapy, they can be pushed over the edge. As far as I know, three of my family member have had Bipolar Disorder and two have overcome the Disorder with the aid of therapy and