Bipolar disorder is a serious psychological condition often caused by the imbalances in some brain chemicals. It can create unusual shifts in the person's mood, energy and the total ability to function. This is also known in some other names called manic depressive illness, manic depression, manic depression disorder, bipolar mood disorder etc. This is a long term illness which usually develops in the late adolescence or adult hood. Bipolar disorder usually destroys the basis of the rational thoughts.

Usually this is an episodic disease, for which there will be some periods of highs and lows which are called the episodes of mania and depression. As the name reveals, this disease oscillates the person between the two poles of extremes of the feelings - mania and depression.

Mania is the state of euphoric mood and extreme hyper excitability often characterized by the increased level of energy and activities. The person can become restless, irritable, easily distractable, and unrealistic in the belief of his own abilities and power and can show extreme optimism in all the aspects of the life. He can find it not necessary to take adequate sleep. They can have difficulty for concentrate or focus up on any thing they do and also can become provocative, intrusive or aggressive in the behavior. Though mania is a state of increased excitement, it is also not less harmful than the depression because it can lead to the depression phase.

Depression is the other emotional extreme which is caused by the bipolar disorder and the common symptoms are:
1. Sadness: Some times the person suffers with an empty mood or sadness which will make him irritable to concentrate on anything.
2. Anxiety: the reason for the anxiety will be unknown to the person.
3. Pessimism: The person can feel hopelessness in all the aspects of the life.
4. Guilty consciousness: the thought that he has done something terrible, though sometimes may not be aware of the crime he is supposed to have committed.
5. Lack of pleasure: or loss of interest in the things which he used to enjoy before.
6. Decreased energy: they may feel extreme tiredness fatigue or feels like being 'slowed down' in the daily routine.
7. Lack of concentration: also the inability to remember something, or to make the decisions.
8. Irritability: this is often accompanied by a sort of restlessness.
9. Inadequate sleep: They cannot sleep properly. But some times they may sleep too much too.
10. Loss or increase in the appetite: can often lead to the unintended weight loss or gain.
11. Chronic body pain: This can be often psychological and not caused due to any physical illness or injuries.
12. Suicidal thoughts: This is the worst thing they suffer due to the helplessness, worthlessness or guilt which are caused from the disorder. They may place themselves in certain activities or things which can cause death or danger to them.

Either extreme mania or depression can lead to other psychotic problems like delusions or hallucinations too. So the bipolar depression should be recognized, diagnosed and treated properly on time.