脑部疾病与治疗

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Editorial Note on Bipolar Disorder

Sarilla Gowthami

We all have our ups and downs, but with bipolar disorder (once known as manic depression or manic-depressive disorder) there is serious shift in mood, energy, thinking, and behavior—from the highs of mania on one extreme, to the lows of depression on the other. The cycle of bipolar disorder lasts for days, weeks, or months and unlike ordinary mood swings, the mood changes of bipolar disorder are so intense that they can interfere with your job or school performance, damage your relationships, and disrupt your ability to function in daily life. During a manic episode, you might impulsively quit your job, charge up huge amounts on credit cards, or feel rested after sleeping two hours. During a depressive episode, you might be too tired to get out of bed, and full of self-loathing and hopelessness over being unemployed and in debt.