Glossary

Below are definitions for a number of medical terms that you might see on bipolar sites:

attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
A behavior disorder that is usually diagnosed in childhood. Symptoms include impulsive behavior, hyperactivity/restlessness, and inability to pay
attention. Children with bipolar disorder may be misdiagnosed with ADHD, as the two conditions share some of the same features, including distractibility,
physical outbursts, and temper tantrums.

bipolar depression
One of the mood states that occurs in bipolar disorder. The symptoms of bipolar depression are the same as those seen in unipolar depression, but its
causes and treatments are different.

bipolar disorder
A mood disorder that causes extreme shifts in mood, thoughts, energy, and behavior. A person's mood alternates between extreme "highs" (mania) and
extreme "lows" (depression).

delusion
A belief that is held even though evidence proves that it cannot be true.

depression
A low mood state. Possible symptoms include crying, guilt, hopelessness, low self-esteem, appetite or sleep changes, anxiety, poor energy, body aches,
poor concentration, indecisiveness, inability to feel pleasure, and thoughts of suicide.

electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
Also known as "electroshock therapy," ECT is an effective short-term treatment used during severe episodes of mania or depression.

episode
An occurrence of either mania or depression. A mood episode may last for hours, days, weeks, or even months.

euphoria
An abnormally happy mood.

euthymia
A normal mood.

hallucination
A vision or sense of something that does not actually exist.

hypomania
A mild version of mania.

mania
One of the mood states that occurs in bipolar disorder. Possible symptoms include euphoria, irritability, increased energy, decreased need for sleep,
racing thoughts, rapid speech, distractibility, impulsiveness, recklessness, inflated sense of self-importance, heightened sexuality, and in severe cases,
psychosis and/or hallucinations.

mixed episode
A mood episode in which mania and depression occur at the same time. Also known as a "mixed state."

psychiatrist
A physician who specializes in evaluating and treating people with mental illness. Psychiatrists are medical doctors and can prescribe medication.

psychologist
A healthcare professional who specializes in evaluating and treating people with mental illness. A psychologist is not a medical doctor and therefore
cannot prescribe medication, but is trained to diagnose mental illness and provide psychotherapy.

psychotherapy
Also known as "talk therapy" or counseling, psychotherapy consists of regular conversations with a trained mental health professional. A few types of
psychotherapy used to help manage bipolar disorder are cognitive-behavioral therapy, family therapy, and interpersonal therapy.

psychosis
A mental state that may include delusions, hallucinations, inappropriate moods, social withdrawal, and impaired concentration.

psychotropic
Describes any medication that treats symptoms related to moods, thinking, attention, and behavior. The medications used to treat bipolar disorder are
psychotropic.

rapid cycling
A variation of bipolar disorder defined by four or more manic or depressive episodes within one year. According to the American Psychiatric Association,
between 12% and 20% of people with bipolar disorder experience rapid cycling.

schizophrenia
A chronic mental illness that usually appears in adolescence. There are different types of schizophrenia, but symptoms may include hallucinations,
delusions, and inappropriate thinking or behavior.

unipolar depression
Also known as "clinical depression." The symptoms are the same as those experienced during an episode of bipolar depression, but a person suffering
from unipolar depression never experiences mania or hypomania.