Bipolar Disorder

Everyone has ups and downs in mood. Feeling happy at times and sad and angry at other times.

Bipolar disorder, or manic-depressive illness, is a serious medical condition that causes people to have extreme mood swings. These swings affect how people think, behave and function.

Bipolar disorder typically consists of three states:

a high or agitated state, called "mania"
a low state, called "depression"
a well state, during which many people feel normal and function well

One or two per cent of adults have bipolar disorder. Men and women are affected equally.

For more information on mood disorders and treatment information, please click here.

The Brain Health Centre at Baycrest specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of mood and related disorders. For more information about the clinics in our Brain Health Centre, please click here.