Neurovarium
In the depressive phase the patient may have persistent feelings of sadness anxiety or guilt sleep problems loss of appetite irritability chronic pain with no known cause and recurring thoughts of suicide "Bipolar disorder causes dramatic mood swings - from overly "high" and/or irritable to sad and hopeless and then back again often with periods of normal mood in between Severe changes in energy and behavior go along with these changes in mood The periods of highs and lows are called episodes of mania and depression" said NIMH experts The cause of bipolar disorder is unknown but it can be triggered by drug abuse and stressful or traumatic events The condition tends to run in families leading some researchers to believe that the problem may be genetic or due to a hormonal imbalance Untreated the condition can lead to substance or alcohol abuse and suicide "Bipolar disorder can have devastating effects on relationships as well as finances stemming from spending sprees during a manic episode or nearly complete isolation and withdrawal during a depressive phase".