What is Bipolar Disorder?” A Guide to Hope and Recovery for African Americans
Bipolar disorder (also called manic depression) is a serious medical condition that causes extremes in a person’s mood and behavior. It is not a weakness of character, family or faith, or something you can resolve on your own. Though it affects people of every race, many African Americans with the problem do not receive help. When bipolar disorder goes unchecked, it can disrupt the lives of those who have it and of the people close to them. But, with help, people with bipolar disorder can get better and get on with their lives. What are the signs of bipolar disorder? People with bipolar disorder go from periods of feeling very “high,” called mania or manic, to periods of feeling very low or depressed. An episode is the period of time you have the mania or depression. In between, there are times of level moods and normal behavior. The information below can help you determine if you have symptoms of bipolar disorder. Mania When at the high end or manic, you may experience the following s
