What is bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a mental illness characterized by extreme mood fluctuations, in which patients experience alternating episodes of mania or hypomania and depression. The condition is manageable but requires long-term attention and scientific regulation. A detailed analysis is as follows:

During manic or hypomanic episodes, patients often exhibit elevated mood, excessive energy, and racing thoughts, possibly accompanied by impulsive spending and increased speech. Some individuals may require less sleep without feeling fatigued. During these periods, self-awareness is often impaired, making it difficult for patients to recognize their abnormal state. In contrast, during depressive episodes, patients experience low mood, loss of interest, and lack of energy, commonly accompanied by insomnia or hypersomnia and changes in appetite. In severe cases, they may develop suicidal thoughts. These two types of episodes occur alternately, with varying intervals and durations among individuals, influenced by factors such as environment and stress.

In daily life, maintaining regular routines and a stable environment is crucial for patients. Avoiding triggers such as staying up late or excessive stimulation is important. Proactively building supportive relationships with family and friends, combined with professional interventions and tools like mood tracking, can help patients better understand their emotional changes, effectively reduce the frequency of episodes, and maintain stability in daily functioning.