• These ups and downs can be too much for a person to cope with.
• They can interfere with daily life.
• Sometimes they can even be dangerous.
   

Examples of the Extreme Ups and Downs

One day you may feel so depressed that you can't get out of bed. Work may seem impossible.

On another day you may feel great and full of endless energy. You may feel like you’re getting a lot done. But other people might think that what you are doing is dangerous and out of control.

About 5.7 million American adults or about 2.6 percent of the population age 18 and older have bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder typically develops in late adolescence or early adulthood. However, some people have their first symptoms during childhood, and some develop them late in life. It is often not recognized as an illness, and people may suffer for years before it is properly diagnosed and treated. Like diabetes or heart disease, bipolar disorder is a long-term illness that must be carefully managed throughout a person’s life.

Many people with bipolar disorder don’t know they have it. Some don’t seek treatment because they are ashamed of what they feel. Others are incorrectly diagnosed with other illnesses, such as depression, anxiety, or schizophrenia. Controlling symptoms and providing the right treatment can make bipolar disorder easier to manage.

Learning how to recognize bipolar disorder may help you get the right diagnosis. The medical professionals at Access Ohio take the time to assess how you feel multi-dimensionally and over time to make the right diagnosis and provide targeted, optimal treatment that can lead to a more normal life.