Bipolar Disorder

By Dylan Fujii
 Definition

bi·po·lar
/bīˈpōlər/

adjective

1.
A mental disorder that causes manic and depressive episodes that affects
a person’s mood and/or tasks.

“Bipolar Disorder.” National Institute of Mental Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/bipolar-
disorder/index.shtml. 2
 Causes
The exact cause of bipolar
disorder unknown, but a
combination of genetic traits,
environment and what is around
the person, and altered brain
structure may play a role.

“Bipolar Disorder.” National Institute of Mental Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/bipolar- 3
disorder/index.shtml.
 Science Behind the Disorder
Bipolar Disorder is partly caused by an underlying problem with
specific brain circuits and the disruption of a brain chemical called
neurotransmitters. The improper circulation of the brain chemicals
can cause bipolar or other mental disorders.

4
“Bipolar Disorder Causes & Risk Factors.” WebMD, WebMD, www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder/guide/bipolar-disorder-causes#1.
Warning Signs
The first warning signs for bipolar is mood swings. This can go from
being angry to feeling loss of hope. All of your moods will feel much
more escalated and you might have trouble sleeping.

5
“Am I Bipolar? How To Tell If You Have Bipolar Disorder.” WebMD, WebMD, www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder/do-i-have-bipolar-disorder#1.
 Interesting Facts
1. Bipolar Disorder can easily look and feel like somebody has
depression.
a. Depression could be a part of bipolar disorder, but bipolar can not be characterized as
depression since it is very complex.
2. You can have 2 moods occuring at the same time, like mania
and depression.
a. This is not good and is high risk because a person will have high energy but are
miserable. This could eventually lead to suicidal thoughts.
3. Teens can also get bipolar disorder too.
a. Teens who get bipolar are usually having another mental problem occuring at the same
time, like ADHD. That is also what makes treatment harder for teens.

Todd, Carolyn L. “14 Facts About Bipolar Disorder That Everyone Should Know.” SELF, www.self.com/story/bipolar-disorder-facts. 6
Treatments and Cures
There is no exact cure for bipolar but there is stabilizers. This could
be from mood stabilizers like Lithium. Also, Atypical antipsychotics,
such as quetiapine, can help treat both manic and depressive episodes
and also help maintain a very static mood.

Burgess, Lana. “Is Bipolar Curable? Treatment and Long-Term Management.” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International,
www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324349.php.
7
Question 1

What type of episodes does bipolar disorder

create?

8
Question 1

It creates manic and depressive episodes

that affect your daily life.
Question 2

Is bipolar disorder partly caused by the

disruption of brain circuits?

10
Question 2

Yes, the disruption and mixing up of

circuits and brain structure leads to
bipolar.
Question 3

What is a sign that you might have bipolar

disorder?

12
Question 3

A person has very large mood swings

that drastically changes very quickly.
Question 4

Is bipolar depression?

14
Question 4

No, it is not. Bipolar is a lot more

advanced than depression, but
depression is a big part of bipolar
disorder.
Question 5

What is a treatment for bipolar disorder?

16
Question 5

There is no exact treatment but

suppression and keeping it unknown
with mood stabilizers keeps it out of a
person’s life.