Bipolar Disorder

Overview

Bipolar disorder, also called manic depression, causes extreme mood swings that include emotional highs (mania) and lows (depression). Bipolar disorder often starts in the late teens or early adulthood, but sometimes begins in childhood. It involves an imbalance of the chemicals and brain function that regulate emotion, likely caused by a complex set of genetic and environmental factors.

In addition to mood and energy swings, people with bipolar disorder often have difficulty with relationships, school or work. However, they can be helped with the right treatment, which includes medications and, often, psychological counseling (psychotherapy).

Why choose Mayo Clinic for bipolar disorder

• Expertise and teamwork. Bipolar disease is often difficult to treat. At Mayo Clinic, you'll receive expert care from experienced professionals and national leaders. Specialists from psychiatry, psychology and other areas, as needed, will work with you to set personalized treatment goals and monitor your progress.
• Latest diagnostic and treatment options. Getting the right medications for your needs is crucial. Mayo providers use blood tests or cheek (buccal) swab tests to help determine how your genes might affect your response to various antidepressant drugs, which you take in addition to mood stabilizers. Doctors will work with you to carefully monitor medications, especially antidepressants, which can increase the risk of manic episodes.
• Treatment for complicated cases. Mayo Clinic in Minnesota has a Mood Disorders Unit that provides inpatient treatment to adults whose bipolar disorder significantly affects their functioning or safety. Also in Minnesota, the Mayo Mood Clinic, an outpatient program, evaluates and treats adults who have treatment-resistant bipolar disorder.
• Pediatric specialists. Children and teens with bipolar disorder can come to Mayo Clinic in Minnesota for diagnosis and treatment. Because pediatric bipolar disorder often coexists with other childhood psychiatric conditions, Mayo's child and adolescent psychiatrists work with doctors in other specialties to do a comprehensive evaluation.
• Latest research. Mayo Clinic scientists conduct research to understand and identify the genetic basis and brain-imaging patterns for bipolar disorder. Their goal is to develop better and more-targeted drug treatment options, based on variations in genetic makeup and brain metabolism.

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., is ranked among the Best Hospitals for psychiatry by U.S. News & World Report.

Mayo Clinic: Answers you can trust

At Mayo Clinic, we assemble a team of specialists who take the time to listen and thoroughly understand your health issues and concerns. We tailor the care you receive to your personal health care needs. You can trust our specialists to collaborate and offer you the best possible outcomes, safety and service.

Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit medical institution that reinvests all earnings into improving medical practice, research and education. We're constantly involved in innovation and medical research, finding solutions to improve your care and quality of life. Your doctor or someone on your medical team is likely involved in research related to your condition.

Our patients tell us that the quality of their interactions, our attention to detail and the efficiency of their visits mean health care — and trusted answers — like they've never experienced.

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