Dramatic High and Low Mood Swings

Bipolar disorder, sometimes called manic depression, is a mental illness that is described as a fluctuation in mood extremes.

Patients with bipolar disorder may experience high (mania) and low (depression) mood swings that are dramatic, seriously affecting their lives and the lives of those around them. The classic picture of bipolar disorder includes swings from high to low moods and back again, with each swing lasting from weeks to months and often with periods of normal mood in between the extremes. During mania, patients are often agitated, speeding through their days with increased activity, little sleep, erratic behavior, and problems concentrating or staying focused. During depression, feelings of exhaustion, hopelessness, and futility are common, sometimes with suicidal thoughts.More »