FAQ: What's Bipolar Disorder?

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Catherine Zeta-Jones' announcement through her publicist that she has decided to briefly check into a mental health facility to treat her bipolar II disorder has pulled the serious and often misunderstood illness into the public consciousness.

Here are the most commonly asked questions about bipolar disorder:

What is it?

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive disorder or shortened to manic depression, causes severe, uncontrollable mood swings . A person with bipolar disorder can quickly shift from the dreary lows of depression to the euphoric highs of mania, during which they feel energized and unusually happy.

Bipolar II disorder, the form of the disorder that Zeta-Jones has reportedly been diagnosed with, is characterized by periods of depression that last longer than the periods of mania, according to mayoclinic.com.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms of a manic phase, or episode, include extreme optimism, racing thoughts, inflated self-esteem, delusions, poor judgment, rapid speech, aggressive behavior , a decreased need for sleep, risky behavior, increased sex drive, unwise financial choices such as spending sprees, and careless or dangerous use of alcohol or drugs.

Symptoms of a depressive phase include feelings of hopelessness, sadness, anxiety , guilt and irritability. Other symptoms include sleep problems, changes in appetite, loss of interest in daily activities, problems concentrating, chronic pain without a known cause and suicidal thoughts or behavior.

The manic and depressive episodes characteristic of bipolar disorder can last for weeks or even months. They do not necessarily follow one after the other a person with the disorder can experience a long symptom-free period before having another severe mood swing.

What causes it?

Bipolar disorder can be caused by a series of factors. People with the illness may have an imbalance of neurotransmitters, the naturally-occurring brain chemicals that seem to play a significant role in mood disorders. A hormone imbalance can also cause or trigger bipolar disorder symptoms.

The disorder is often inherited, as it is more common in people who have a blood relative such as a sibling or parent with the condition, according to mayoclinic.com. Stressful events, such as a significant loss or a traumatic experience, can also cause some people to develop bipolar disorder.

How is it diagnosed?

It can be difficult to establish that a person is suffering from bipolar disorder because its symptoms can at times mimic or appear similar to those of other brain disorders , such as schizophrenia or major depressive disorder.

To diagnose bipolar disorder and rule out any other mental or physical illnesses that may be causing a person's symptoms a medical professional may run a series of tests, which can include a physical exam, lab tests, psychological evaluation and mood charting. Mood charting is when a patient keeps a daily record of their moods in order to help make an accurate diagnosis.

How is it treated?

Because bipolar disorder doesn't get better on its own, those with any symptoms of depression or mania should consult their doctor or mental health provider, recommends mayoclinic.com. In most cases, bipolar disorder can be controlled with medication and psychological counseling, or psychotherapy.

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