How Does One Distinguish Between Normal Ups and Downs and Bipolar?
For some it is hard to think of mood swings as an illness, especially when emotional reactions seem justifiable and appear to be similar to what others experience. For this reason it is critically-important that a doctor be attuned to whether mood and behavior are significant departures from ones normal states. In making this assessment, a doctor must take into account factors such as how long the states last, how intense they are, and whether they impair ones functioning. Making this diagnosis is challenging.
