Hawaii
Attorneys and Judges Assistance Program
AAP is a Safe Place to Be
AAP is a Safe Place to Be
Mood changes are a normal part of life, but the highs and lows of bipolar disorder are not normal. The moods of a person with bipolar disorder, which has also been called manic depression, swing from period of intense elation to periods of intense sadness. This disruptive illness impacts every phase of a person's life.
In the manic "up" state, the individual may be unrealistically self-confident, energized, or hostile. On a destructive high, the person may make irrational decisions that risk health, damage relationships, and destroy careers. In the depressed stage, the same person can feel so low, fatigued, and helpless, that any activity is difficult. Thoughts of suicide are not unusual. Substance abuse is common in individuals with bipolar disorder and may disguise the illness that underlies the addictive behaviors. Once properly diagnosed, most people with bipolar disorder - even severe cases - can obtain relief from their symptoms. Seventy percent or more respond well to medication that helps reduce the frequency and intensity of manic episodes. A combination of medication and professional counseling helps most return to productive and fulfilling lives.