Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder characterized by extreme shifts in mood. It is also known as manic depressive illness. Normally every individual experiences variation in their mood, but these changes in bipolar disorder are intense than usual mood changes and can be very distressing for the person. An individual with bipolar disorder has problems managing everyday tasks/chores and has problems in maintaining relationships.

This illness comes in phases or episodes. These phases or episodes are either Mania or Depression. To diagnose it as mania the symptoms should be seen for at least a week whereas in depression two weeks of symptoms qualify to be called as an episode of depression.