Mania is one of the main, and the most destructive, symptoms of bipolar (Mondimore 1999). The manic phase of bipolar can start out wonderful for a patient, especially when coming right out of a depression. The good feeling of mania is often short lived, and is replaced quickly with anger and irritability. As the patient climbs higher into mania they start lashing out in anger, and sometimes violence. As mania progresses the patient usually feels as if they are thinking very clear, and mental processes are moving fast. Soon, clear thinking turns into uncontrollable racing thoughts.

Other symptoms of Mania include extravagant shopping sprees, the patient has no value of money,

There are no blood tests, x-rays, or other diagnostics that can definitively diagnosis bipolar. Psychiatrists have to evaluate the patient on behavior and genetics. Approximately 4% to 24% of bipolar patient have a first degree relative that also suffers from bipolar (American Psychiatric Association 1994). A chemical imbalance is to blame for the disorder, more specifically involving the neurotransmitters in the brain, and though it can’t be cured, it can be treated.

A diagnosis of bipolar is nothing to be ashamed of. Over the past 50 years great improvements have been made in the treatment of bipolar (Modimore 1999). Most patients are able to have a normal life with medication and therapy. Keeping bipolar under control is a huge accomplishment. Many patients are highly successful and driven to succeed. As Aristotle once said, “No great genius has ever existed without a touch of madness.”

Therapy plays a big role in how well a patient with bipolar will do. Often times patients are ashamed of their diagnosis, and don’t know what to do. Learning that they have had a distorted view of reality is hard to comprehend. Patients need to understand that like diabetes, or cancer, bipolar is a long-term disease. There is no quick cure or a magic pill to make it go away. Patients need to work through their confusion, hurt, and anger with a therapist to begin to get better. Therapy and medication

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