Mental Health Awareness

Bipolar disorder, previously known as manic depression, is a mental disorder characterized by periods of depression and periods of abnormally elevated mood that each last from days to weeks, and in some cases months.[4][5] If the elevated mood is severe or associated with psychosis, it is called mania; if it is less severe and does not significantly affect functioning, it is called hypomania.[4] During mania, an individual behaves or feels abnormally energetic, happy, or irritable,[4] and they often make impulsive decisions with little regard for the consequences.[5] There is usually, but not always, a reduced need for sleep during manic phases.[7][5][8] During periods of depression, the individual may experience crying, have a negative outlook on life, and demonstrate poor eye contact with others.[4] The risk of suicide is high. Over a period of 20 years, 6% of those with bipolar disorder died by suicide,[4] with about one-third attempting suicide in…