Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that requires a lifelong treatment course in order for the sufferer to remain stable and carry out a day-to-day normal life routine. It also was once called manic-depressive illness or manic depression. This terminology changed in the early 1990’s because the American Psychiatry Association wanted to change the social outlook on the condition and detach it from the stigma given to patients with depression.

Bipolar disorder is characterized mainly by excessive changes in mood from the very low to the very high degrees. It comes in cycles and it is never known if it will last for just a few days, a few weeks, or a few months.

The condition is very unpredictable and varied from patient to patient as well as episode to episode. It disrupts not only the life of the sufferer, but those around him as well. Family, friends and co-workers often suffer the results of the changes in behavior.

Treatments for bipolar disorder involve a very individualized approach. Since no two people exhibit exactly the same symptoms it stands to reason that a cookie cutter approach to treatment protocols would be doomed to failure.

Treatment for bipolar disorder is a long-term process. Even after individuals feel that an episode has come and gone, treatment must be continued and must be ongoing. The bipolar patient’s mood must be stabilized and maintained at all times in order to keep these episodes at bay.