Bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic-depressive illness, is a serious medical condition. Someone with bipolar disorder has extreme episodes of mania, or being very “up” or energetic and active, and episodes of depression, or being very “down” and sad. Changing hormones during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause can affect how severe a woman’s bipolar disorder is, but menstrual cycle conditions (like premenstrual syndrome) are not the same as bipolar disorder.

Bipolar disorder is a serious medical condition that causes extreme swings in a person’s mood, energy, and ability to function. These mood changes, called manic and depressive episodes, are not the same as the typical ups and downs that everyone goes through from time to time. These mood changes are also different from those caused by premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).

There are different types of bipolar disorder. The two most common types are bipolar I (pronounced “bipolar one”) and bipolar II (pronounced “bipolar two”). The different types of bipolar disorder are based on how severe a person’s mood and behavior changes are and how quickly they come and go. Some types of bipolar disorder are more severe than others, but all types of bipolar disorder can be treated. Learn more about the different types of bipolar disorder.

Bipolar I (pronounced “bipolar one”) disorder is the most severe type of bipolar disorder. It affects women and men equally, but it is often diagnosed later in life for women than for men.3 Bipolar I disorder causes severe swings in mood and energy, from highs (manic episodes) to lows (depressive episodes).

Bipolar II (pronounced “bipolar two”) disorder is the most common type of bipolar disorder. It affects more women than men.

Women with bipolar II disorder experience similar mood changes to people with bipolar I, but the manic episodes are less severe. These less intense episodes are called hypomania. However, women with bipolar II tend to have depressive episodes more often.

Because hypomanic episodes are less severe than manic episodes, women with bipolar II may be more able than women with bipolar I to live in the community with family and complete everyday tasks at work, school, or home. Bipolar II disorder can usually be treated without hospitalization.

The term “episode” may be used to describe what happens when a person with bipolar disorder has several manic or depressive symptoms for most of the day, nearly every day, for at least 1 to 2 weeks. Sometimes symptoms are so severe that the person cannot do everyday tasks at work, school, or home.

A hypomanic episode, also called hypomania, has fewer or milder symptoms than a manic episode.

Women who have mood changes with hypomanic episodes may have a milder but still serious condition called bipolar II disorder.

Symptoms of mania or a manic episode include:

A manic episode can be followed by a depressive episode. A person can also experience a “mixed state” in which she or he feels symptoms of both mania and depression.

Symptoms of depression or a depressive episode include:

A person can also experience a “mixed state” in which she or he feels symptoms of both mania and depression.

Experts do not know what causes bipolar disorder. Some possible causes include:

Women and men are equally likely to have bipolar I disorder, but women are more likely to have bipolar II disorder and may experience more rapid cycling between highs and lows.

Women with bipolar disorder are also more likely than men with bipolar disorder to have other physical and mental health conditions, including problems with alcohol use, depression caused by bipolar disorder, thyroid disease, obesity caused by medicines that treat bipolar disorder, and migraine headaches.

Changing hormones during the menstrual cycle and menopause can also affect how severe a woman’s bipolar disorder is, but they do not cause bipolar disorder.

To diagnose bipolar disorder, doctors may do a blood test, talk to you about your moods and behaviors, and have you keep a daily record of your thoughts and activities.

With your permission, a doctor may also want to talk to your close friends or family members to better understand your behavior and determine whether you have showed symptoms of bipolar disorder.

There is no cure for bipolar disorder. But treatment helps most people with bipolar disorder have fewer depressive and manic episodes. People with the disorder will need treatment throughout their lives to control bipolar symptoms.

Treatment for bipolar disorder may include:

If you think that you or someone you know has bipolar disorder, see a doctor, nurse, or mental health professional right away. The earlier you get treatment for bipolar disorder, the better the treatment works. Come prepared with a list of symptoms and examples of behaviors that you think may be caused by bipolar disorder.

Women who have bipolar disorder are at risk for experiencing an episode after giving birth, especially a depressive episode.Women who experience a depressive or manic episode after giving birth are also more likely to have episodes after other pregnancies. Women with bipolar disorder are at high risk of developing postpartum psychosis, which is a medical emergency.

Talk to your doctor or nurse if you are trying to get pregnant or are pregnant. Some medicines are not safe to take during pregnancy.

Yes. Certain medicines to treat bipolar disorder are safe to take while breastfeeding. Talk to your doctor about what medicines you can take after giving birth.