What is bipolar disorder?
Jul 31, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Baohua
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, bipolar disorder is a mental disorder primarily characterized by alternating episodes of mania or hypomania and depression, which can affect the patient's life and functioning. To help individuals with bipolar disorder better manage their condition, it is recommended that patients and their families learn about the illness, cooperate with professional treatment, maintain a regular lifestyle, and establish a strong support system.
Generally speaking, bipolar disorder is a mental disorder mainly characterized by alternating episodes of mania or hypomania and depression, which significantly affects the patient's life and functioning. A detailed explanation is as follows:
Individuals with bipolar disorder experience manic or hypomanic episodes, during which they may display elevated mood, increased energy, rapid thinking, and excessive talking. Some patients may also exhibit impulsive behaviors. These states typically persist for a period before transitioning into another mood state. Patients with bipolar disorder also undergo depressive episodes, characterized by low mood, loss of interest, reduced energy, sleep disturbances, and in severe cases, these symptoms can impair normal work and social activities. The alternating episodes of these two emotional states constitute the primary feature of bipolar disorder.
To help patients with bipolar disorder better manage the illness, it is recommended that both patients and their families learn about the condition, cooperate with professional treatment, maintain a regular lifestyle, and establish a strong support system. If significant mood fluctuations occur, timely measures should be taken to stabilize the condition.
