Bipolar personality disorder is a familiar phrase. You hear it and you think you know what it means – not in detail, of course, but generally. You see it on a TV show and you know somebody who knows somebody whose cousin may have it. You know it’s bad and you’re glad that you don’t have it, but what is it really?

What is it?

Bipolar personality disorder might be referred to as manic-depression. Mania, or an extremely “up” feeling and depression are polar opposites, hence the name bipolar personality disorder. Bipolar patients will experience chemical changes that affect mood, thinking and behavior. Those with bipolar personality disorder are often told to “cut it out” or “snap out of it” but truthfully have no control over these moods.

Just over 1% of Americans have bipolar personality disorder. It can first be exhibited by either mania or depression, usually during the teens or young twenties and in both sexed equally. Some patients exhibit symptoms as early as 10 years old.

What are the symptoms?

Sufferers of bipolar personality disorder cycle through the manic and depressive episodes with normal periods in between. While everyone experiences happiness and sadness, the episodes of bipolar personality disorder are more extreme than circumstances can cause. Depression can include a desire to sleep for as many as 18 hours a day without feeling refreshed, body aches, very low self-esteem, feelings of self-loathing, poor memory, the inability to make decisions, social withdrawal, the inability to feel pleasure and thoughts of suicide. Without treatment, the thoughts of suicide are successfully carried out in about 15% of those with this disorder.

While the depressed cycle of bipolar personality disorder is difficult for friends and family, the manic episodes are just as bad. Mania can include inflated self-esteem, engaging in risky behavior, abuse of alcohol or drugs, hyperactivity, excessive spending, racing thoughts, sleeplessness, anger, and pressurized speech. This type of behavior can last for months, alienating friends and family and allowing the sufferer to pursue dangerous behavior.

Am I at risk?

There is no definitive test for bipolar personality disorder. The only indication of risk is genetic. If you have a close family relative who has been diagnosed or shows the symptoms, you have a slightly elevated chance of developing bipolar personality disorder. First episodes rarely occur after the age of 50. Genetic factors are not the only cause since bipolar personality disorder frequently occurs in only one identical twin. While the unaffected twin has a slightly greater chance of developing the disorder, science is unable to explain why the second twin’s risk is not close to 100%.

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