Describe the features of bipolar disorder.?

Depression & mania: Formerly "manic depression, " bipolar disorder includes periods of major depression, & other periods of mania or hypomania. Although there is a "mixed" type where these periods overlap, most bipolar disorder has long & separate times of either low or high mood, making it different than short-term "mood swings". Meds usually treat bipolar well. For lots of good info, see: http://tinyurl.Com/c2qry8.

2 types: Bipolar disorder occurs in 1-2% of the population. Bipolar ii may be more common than bipolar i. Bipolar i is mania and depression. Bipolar ii is hypomania and depression. Manic episodes typically last 3-5 days and depressive episodes last 2 weeks or more seperated by weeks, months, or even years. Mixed episodes may be more common and consist of a combination of depressive and manic symptoms.

Bipolar: Bipolar I and bipolar II, In the first, manic phases are more severe, and in the second, depressive phases are more severe. There is also cyclothymia which is a low grade version of bipolar disorder in general, where mood swings are not as severe in either direction, manic or depressive.