Although the word 'bipolar' is increasingly used in the media these days, and is sometimes misused, there is a serious and debilitating pathology behind this term, which affects almost 3% of the population.
The causes and biological mechanisms of bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder is a multifactorial condition, with a genetic component. Many genes are associated with a very slight increase in the risk of developing the disorder.
Symptoms and diagnosis of bipolar disorder
The symptoms of bipolar disorder alternate between depressive episodes and manic or hypomanic phases. There is not one bipolar disorder, but many. Rather, there is a spectrum of disorders, with symptoms varying in duration and intensity.
At present, bipolar disorder is diagnosed solely on the basis of clinical symptoms.
Treatments of bipolar disorder
The cornerstone of treatment for bipolar disorder remains medication, but there are also non-medication solutions that can reduce the symptoms of bipolar disorder.
