Bipolar disorder is also known as manic depression. It is a medical disease that causes psychological symptoms to such a degree that daily living activities are negatively impacted. The most prominent symptoms of bipolar disorder in adults are the extreme mood changes which are also known as depression and mania. Those who are diagnosed with this condition may also suffer from other symptoms including psychosis and suicide.

In children the symptoms appear to cycle much more quickly and aren’t distinct the way that they are in adults. Rapid cycling can occur in minutes or hours and can present with mixed symptoms while in adults these symptoms occur over days or weeks and are usually not mixed.

In people who don’t suffer from bipolar disorder they may experience mild to moderate amounts of depression or mania for short periods of time. But the person with bipolar disorder will experience these symptoms for hours, days or weeks. In the manic phase of the condition the bipolar disorder symptoms in adults may present with increased energy, creativity and euphoria. During this phase a person may appear to be talking a mile a minute and exhibit reckless decision making skills.