What Is Bipolar Depression?

Bipolar depression is just one phase of bipolar disorder (also known as manic-depression), an illness that millions of people have.

Most people experience changes in their mood and feelings as part of everyday life. For people with bipolar disorder, these changes are much more dramatic.

While no one really knows what causes bipolar disorder, scientists believe it is caused by imbalances in chemicals in the brain. It's important to remember that bipolar disorder is an illness, just like heart disease or glaucoma. You didn't do anything to cause it, and you can't "snap" out of it.

Bipolar depression is difficult to diagnose, and many people may not know they have it. It is estimated that as many as 3 out of 10 people diagnosed with depression actually have bipolar depression.

Recognizing the symptoms of bipolar mania and depression is important to help reduce the risk of an episode or relapse (a return of symptoms).

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