English

Noun

bipolar disorder ‎(uncountable)

1. (clinical psychology) A psychiatric diagnostic category, previously called manic depression, characterised by mood swings between great energy (mania) and clinical depression.
   • 2002, American Psychiatric Association, American Journal of Psychiatry: Practice Guidelines for the Treatment of Patients with Bipolar Disorder (Revision), page 30,

     An open study comparing response to lamotrigine in patients with rapid-cycling versus non-rapid-cycling bipolar disorder also indicated efficacy, with some evidence that rapid-cycling patients with more severe manic symptoms at the start of treatment respod less well (367).

   • 2003, Jane Mountain, Bipolar Disorder: Insights for Recovery, page 102,

     It^[switching] is a term frequently used with children with bipolar disorder who may experience switching of mood multiple times throughout the day.

   • 2008, Tracy Anglada, Sheryl Hakala, Childhood Bipolar Disorder Answer Book, page 32,

     Bipolar disorder is diagnosed if your child experiences a manic or mixed episode or recurring episodes of both mania and depression that cannot be accounted for by other causes.

   • 2010, Valerie Porr, Overcoming Borderline Personality Disorder, page 51,

     The rapid mood shifts that people with BPD^{[borderline personality disorder]} experience often lead to their being misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder. It is important to make the distinction between the mood shifts that characterize BPD and those of bipolar disorder.

Synonyms

• manic depression

Related terms

• bipolar
• BP

Translations