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Bipolar Disorder (BPD), also commonly referred to as manic depression, manic-depressive disorder, and bipolar affective disorder, occurs when a chemical imbalance in the brain causes extreme mood swings. While in a manic (high) state, people with BPD are more likely to engage in risky behaviors, such as drug and alcohol use, sexual promiscuity, physical altercations, gambling and overspending. In most individuals with BPD the mania will at some point fade, leaving behind an overwhelming state of depression, in which feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness and thoughts of suicide are common. There may be periods of relative normalcy between the manic and depressive states, or the highs and lows may occur one after another, depending on how rapidly an individual is cycling. Bipolar I disorder involves both manic and depressive episodes, while Bipolar II disorder involves less severe manic episodes (hypomania) followed by a period of depression. Some people experience more manic than depressive episodes, some experience only mild mania but are subject to frequent depression, and some experience both manic and depressive (mixed) symptoms at the same time. Bipolar individuals often perform poorly in school or at work because their condition makes it difficult for them to concentrate and causes them to appear either overly aggressive or (in a low state) frustratingly apathetic. In addition, as previously stated, many, many people with BPD turn to substance abuse or sexual addiction in an attempt to self-medicate. Without proper medical and psychiatric treatment, people with bipolar disorder are highly unlikely to become pillars of their community. No one knows exactly why some people become bipolar, but there is probably some genetic factor involved as this disorder appears to run in families. Nearly 6 million people living in the United States have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder; men, women, adolescents, and even some young children. The first bipolar episode usually occurs during the late teens and twenties, but because most symptoms are behavioral rather than physical, this disorder often goes undiagnosed (or misdiagnosed) for a long time. Bipolar disorder is treated with a combination of psychiatric counseling and medication to help stabilize mood swings. Everyone is different, so those with bipolar must work closely with their doctors to develop a treatment plan that will work for them. Without treatment, the frequency and severity of manic and depressive episodes typically increases over time, resulting in psychotic, delusional behavior and suicidal tendencies. 
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