Bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition involving episodes of mania or hypomania and often depression. These episodes bring marked changes in mood, energy, activity, and functioning.

Mania: A sustained period of abnormally elevated, expansive, or irritable mood and increased energy, with significant impairment or other severe features. Manic episodes define bipolar I disorder and distinguish it from conditions involving hypomania alone.
Mood: A relatively enduring emotional state that influences how a person experiences and responds to events. Bipolar disorder involves episodes of altered mood rather than moment-to-moment emotional shifts.
Bipolar I disorder: A bipolar disorder diagnosis defined by at least one manic episode, with or without depressive episodes. It is the subtype in which a full manic episode establishes the diagnosis.
Lithium: A chemical element used as a mood-stabilizing medication, especially in the treatment and prevention of bipolar episodes. It is a well-established treatment with evidence for reducing recurrence and suicide risk.
Genetics of bipolar disorder: The study of inherited genetic variation associated with bipolar disorder and related traits. Genetic findings show substantial inherited risk but do not yet predict individual outcomes.
Hypomania: A period of elevated or irritable mood and increased energy that is noticeable but does not cause the marked impairment or severity of mania. Hypomanic episodes are central to bipolar II disorder and can be difficult to recognize.
Circadian rhythm: An internal roughly 24-hour cycle that organizes patterns such as sleep, alertness, and hormone release. Sleep and daily rhythms can shift during episodes and are targets of some treatments.
Bipolar II disorder: A bipolar disorder diagnosis involving at least one hypomanic episode and one major depressive episode, without a history of mania. Its hypomania and depression differ diagnostically from bipolar I mania.
Lamotrigine: An anticonvulsant medication also used to help prevent depressive episodes in bipolar disorder. It is often considered for maintenance when depressive episodes are a major concern.
Neurobiology of bipolar disorder: The study of brain systems and biological processes associated with bipolar disorder. No single biological mechanism explains the varied course and symptoms.

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