Bipolar mood disorder is the new name for what was called manic depressive illness. The new name is used as it better describes the extreme mood swings - from depression and sadness to elation and excitement - that people with this illness experience.

People with bipolar mood disorder experience recurrent episodes of depressed and elated moods. Both can be mild to severe. The term 'mania' is used to describe the most severe state of extreme elation and overactivity. Some people with bipolar disorder do not experience depressive episodes-only the episodes of elation and excitement.

What are the symptoms of bipolar mood disorder?

Mania

Common symptoms include varying degrees of the following:

• Elevated mood - the person feels extremely high, happy and full of energy. The experience is often described as feeling on top of the world and being invincible.
• Increased energy and over - activity.
• Reduced need for sleep.
• Irritability - the person may get angry and irritable with people who disagree or dismiss their sometimes unrealistic plans or ideas.
• Rapid thinking and speech - thoughts are more rapid than usual. This can lead to the person speaking quickly and jumping from subject to subject.
• Lack of inhibitions - this can be the result of the person's reduced ability to foresee the consequences of their actions. For example, spending large amounts of money, buying items which are not really needed.
• Grandiose plans and beliefs - it is common for people experiencing mania to believe they are unusually talented or gifted or are kings, film stars or prime ministers, for example. It is common for religious beliefs to intensify or for people with this illness to believe they are an important religious figure.
• Lack of insight - a person experiencing mania may understand that other people see their ideas and actions as inappropriate, reckless or irrational. However, they are unlikely to recognise the behaviour as inappropriate in themselves.

Depression

Many people with bipolar mood disorder experience depressive episodes. This type of depression can be triggered by a stressful or unhappy event, but more commonly occurs without obvious cause. The person loses interest and pleasure in activities enjoyed before. They may withdraw and stop seeing friends, avoid social activities and cease simple tasks such as shopping and showering. They are overwhelmed by a deep sadness, lose their appetite, subsequently lose weight, cannot concentrate and may experience associated feelings of guilt or hopelessness.

Normal moods

Most people who have episodes of mania and depression experience normal moods in between. They are able to live normal lives, manage household and business commitments and hold down a job. Everyone experiences mood swings from time to time. It is when these moods become extreme and lead to a failure to cope with life that medical attention is necessary.