Learn about NIMH research on bipolar disorder. Find resources on the signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder, types, and potential treatments and therapies. Bipolar disorder, formerly called manic depression, is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings. These include emotional highs, also known as mania or hypomania, and lows, also known as depression. Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that causes dramatic shifts in a person’s mood, energy, and ability to think clearly. People with bipolar experience high and low moods—known as mania and depression—which differ from the typical ups-and-downs most people experience. Information on bipolar disorder including symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment options, and resources to find help for yourself or others. The condition is classified as bipolar I disorder if there has been at least one manic episode, with or without depressive episodes, and as bipolar II disorder if there has been at least one hypomanic episode (but no full manic episodes) and one major depressive episode. [4] Bipolar disorder is a serious mental illness that causes extreme mood changes, from periods of extreme elation or irritability and high energy and activity to periods of low energy and activity, as well as impairments in usual functioning. Key signs of bipolar disorder include distinct periods of elevated mood (mania or hypomania) and periods of depression, which can impact energy, sleep, behavior, and overall well-being. Find out about bipolar disorder, including symptoms, how it's diagnosed and treatments. Bipolar disorder is a lifelong mental health condition with episodes of high energy (mania or hypomania) and low mood (depression). Symptoms may disrupt your sleep, activities and daily life. Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that affects a person’s mood, energy, activity and thought; it is characterized by manic (or hypomanic) and depressive episodes.