The History Of Bipolar Disorder

It has not been until recently that the term 0bipolar disorder0 has been used to represent what has always been a misunderstood condition. The ancient Greeks were aware of it, and the ancient Chinese had written about it in an encyclopedia. Yet, it was not until 1957 that the terms 0bipolar0 and 0unipolar0 were first used.
Learning the history of bipolar disorder helps us to both understand and appreciate the many advancements that have been made in the field today. Knowing about the history of the disorder will also provide us with hope for further advancements that are certain to come in the future.
From Ancient Descriptions to the Modern Day Disease
Excluding the ancient Greeks and Chinese, not much research was done in the history of bipolar disorder until the 1900s. In 1902, Emil Kraepelin, a German psychiatrist who lived from 1856-1926, began to study the disorder in more depth. Kraepelin monitored the natural progression of untreated bipolar patients. In his notes, he described his patients by using the term “manic depressive psychosis.” This was the first time in the history of bipolar disorder that such a precise term had ever been used.

In 1954, two French scientists individually presented their theories regarding […]

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