Note from the Editor:
This article was written for the SDC by psychologist and member @Jan A. Jan A. works part-time, taking on clients under the Medicare Mental Health Care Plans. She works with people of all ages, from children to seniors!

Bipolar Affective Disorder is a permanent emotional dysregulation condition. It is genetic and has no cure.

It comes in two main forms, generally referred to as Bipolar 1 and Bipolar 2. In the past, only one form was recognised. It was referred to as Manic Depression because the person can be highly activated (manic) at one point and morose at another point (depression). It was subsequently re-categorised as Bipolar Affective Disorder. Subsequently, a second form was recognised that has similar abnormal mood swings but not as severe as the originally recognised condition. The different forms became known as Bipolar 1 and Bipolar 2, respectively. More recently, other forms of mood swings have been detected. These conditions are not as severe as Bipolar 1 and Bipolar 2 but are abnormal in their intensity of moods.



The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10th Revision (ICD-10) Version for 2010 describes Bipolar Affective Disorder as follows:

‘A disorder characterised by two or more episodes in which the patient's mood and activity levels are significantly disturbed, this disturbance consisting on some occasions of an elevation of mood and increased energy and activity (hypomania or mania) and on others of a lowering of mood and decreased energy and activity (depression). Repeated episodes of hypomania or mania only are classified as bipolar.’



Bipolar Affective Disorder seems to be equally common in men and women. While it can occur at any age, in men, symptoms usually begin at age 20 to 24, and in women, symptoms usually begin at age 25 to 30. Once manifest, the condition is almost always life-long. In 10 to 15% of cases, people who develop Bipolar Affective Disorder (herein referred to as 'Bipolars') will show depressive symptoms as a child and teenager before the onset of the condition. It is commonly the case that the person will have married and had children before the condition fully manifests in them. The partner is then faced with a demanding person they hardly know who has extreme mood swings, violent behaviours, depressive episodes and, in the case of Bipolar 1, psychotic beliefs. Approximately 10-15% of Bipolars commit suicide. As the condition is genetic, children of Bipolars may develop it and pass it on to their children.



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