Bipolar disorder is classified as a brain disorder and a mood disorder. Bipolar disorder includes four different types: bipolar 1 disorder, bipolar 2 disorder, cyclothymic disorder, and other specified and unspecified and related bipolar disorders (NIMH, 2016). A person with bipolar disorder has very high highs and very low lows. According to the National Institute of Mental Health website, 4.4% of adults will experience some type of bipolar in their lifetime. Of these 4.4%, 82.9% will be severe and 17.1% will be moderate. An estimated 2.9% of adolescents aged 13 to 18 had bipolar disorder, and 2.6% of them had a severe disability (NIMH, 2001-2003). Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay The symptoms of bipolar disorder can be similar to other types of illness, so it can be difficult for a doctor to diagnose. People with bipolar disorder often suffer from substance abuse, anxiety disorders, and even eating disorders. People with bipolar disorder are at higher risk of developing thyroid disease, heart disease, and diabetes (NIMH, 2016). Manic episodes are characterized by extreme effects that can make a person feel like they are on top of the world, with extreme energy, experience. racing thoughts and mood swings. They can be very nervous and become extremely agitated very quickly. They need less sleep, do a lot of things at once, and may end up talking quickly. During a manic episode, people may engage in high-risk behaviors, including unsafe sex, financial spending, and drug use. Severe cases of mania can cause psychosis that will match a person's mood. A less severe type of mania is called hypomania. Hypomania can manifest as a period when you feel fine, your mood is good, but it is not out of control. Some people will only experience hypomania and never experience full mania, but for some, hypomania can easily turn into mania or depression without any warning (WebMD, 2016). Depressive episodes are characterized by feelings of severe depression which include feeling sad, empty, having little or no energy, anhedonia. A person may feel worried and have difficulty concentrating. They may suffer from memory and appetite problems. Suicidal feelings or thoughts and death are common. A person with bipolar disorder may experience both manic and depressive symptoms, which is called a mixed episode (NIMH, 2016). Bipolar 1 disorder is characterized by extreme highs and lows that interfere with daily life. Manic episodes must last at least 7 days or are so extreme that a person requires hospital care. While depressive episodes must last at least 2 weeks (NIMH, 2016). Most people with bipolar 1 disorder have symptoms that first appear in their teens or early 20s, but before age 50, and people who have an immediate family member have bipolar are at increased risk of suffering from this disorder. Type 1 people must have had at least one full-blown manic episode in their lifetime (WebMD, 2016). Bipolar 11 disorder is similar to bipolar 1 disorder, except that elevated moods never reach full mania. This is where hypomanic symptoms occur. Most.