In bipolar depression patients alternate between mania (and hypo-mania) as well as depression. These patients switch from a low mood to a frenzied abnormal elevation in mood. A manic episode is, "a period of excessive euphoria, inflated self-esteem, wild optimism and hyperactivity, often accompanied by delusions of grandeur and hostility if activity is blocked "(Dinsmoor, R. S. &ump; Odle, T. G. 2009). According Samuel E. Wood (2011), while manic, "they may waste large sums of money on get-rich-quick schemes and if family members or friends try to stop them they are likely to become hostile, enraged, or even dangerous; they might even harm themselves, so quite often they must be hospitalized during manic episodes to protect them and others from the disastrous consequences of their poor judgment". Depressed bipolar patients show low self-esteem and prolonged feelings of sadness. They may withdraw from friends and family, as well as activities they use to enjoy. Loss of energy and excessive anxiety are also common. They may experience changes in eating or sleeping habits as well as a more serious symptom, thoughts of suicide. (Duckworth,K &ump; Sachs,G 2011). Every individual with bipolar experience is different, and they may have all of the symptoms or just select symptoms. Whichever symptoms bipolar people are experiencing they can often interfere with personality, work, school and social functioning.
The causes of and triggers for a person with bipolar disorder are not completely known. Individual experiences vary and there are significant differences in severity, many hypothesized causes, and very few concrete answers. On set of bipolar disorder typically appears in late adolescence or early adulthood ( S.E.Wood et al 2011). According to Craddock and Jones (1999), the mean age of onset for both men and women is at 21 years of age. Research indicates that the disorder is caused by a combination of factors including; genetics, brain activity and environment (Healthplace 2009).
