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Bipolar Disorder - AdultsWhat is Bipolar Disorder or Manic-Depression?Bipolar Disorder is a mental illness or brain disorder in which a person has two very different, intense moods. Sometimes a person has a depressed mood and at other times the person has a manic mood. This is why it is sometimes called Manic Depression. On this site, the term Bipolar Disorder will be used. On other sites, you may find the term Manic Depression used to describe this same illness. With Bipolar Disorder, a person’s mood changes from extremely sad and hopeless to extremely high and irrational with more normal moods in between. The depression and mania can each last for days, weeks or even months. About two million American adults have Bipolar Disorder. It usually begins in adolescence or early adulthood. It is a very serious illness that can result in the loss of jobs, friends and marriages. It can also lead to drug abuse and suicide. Read our page on Suicide in Adults to learn the warning signs, who is at risk, how you can help and for other information. Symptoms of Depression in Bipolar Disorder include:
Symptoms of Mania in Bipolar Disorder include:
What causes Bipolar Disorder?Bipolar Disorder tends to run in families. Researchers believe it has a biological or genetic cause. Hormones and a brain chemical called serotonin seem to be involved in Bipolar Disorder. It can be triggered by an upsetting life event like the death of a loved one, substance abuse, an illness or hormonal changes like those following childbirth. Bipolar Disorder may also begin when there is no obvious stress in a person’s life. How can Bipolar Disorder be Treated?Bipolar Disorder can be treated successfully! Medication is almost always a necessary part of treatment for Bipolar Disorder. Talking therapies (or counseling) can help a person with Bipolar Disorder and their family work out the problems caused by the disease and teach them ways to recognize and manage the symptoms. A combination of these two kinds of therapies is usually the most effective treatment for Bipolar Disorder. The biggest problem with Bipolar Disorder is that people do not receive the treatment they need. The sections below provide links to web sites that give additional information about Bipolar Disorder as well as a link to Westchester County Mental Health Services, a database of local service providers including those who treat Bipolar Disorder. Additional Information About Bipolar DisorderNational Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)
American Psychiatric Association (APA)
Westchester County Mental Health ServicesFor information about mental health services offered in Westchester and Putnam counties in the state of New York, consult our database of these services. General instructions for using the database are displayed before you click on the [Search Westchester Services] button. To focus on services for adults who may have Bipolar Disorder, use the Keyword feature. Click on the [Keyword Search] button in the lower right corner of the database. When the next screen comes up:
From the list of services displayed, click on the one closest to your area of interest. Return to the top of the page.
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