bipolar disorder

plural bipolar disorders

1. countableuncountableclinical psychologyA mental disorder characterised by mood swings between great energy (mania or hypomania) and clinical depression.

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

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

   3 more examples

   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).

   2002, American Psychiatric Association, American Journal of Psychiatry: Practice Guidelines for the Treatment of Patients with Bipolar Disorder (Revision), page 30

   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.

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

   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.

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

   Synonyms: manic depression, bipolar affective disorder, schizomania