Bipolar is a disorder of the mind characterized by periods of highs and lows. While all people have highs and lows, bipolar can probably be best described as life as a paddle ball. The moods tend to strike with little to no warning. They tend to be disabling. There is no real guarantee as to what direction a person is going. Some people cycle through moods very quickly. Others spend most of their time mired in depression. Untreated, there is little stability. Treated, it’s still a hard slug requiring a high degree of self-awareness, and all in all, it’s not a walk in the park.
Mayo Clinic’s Definition:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bipolar-disorder/DS00356
NHS’s Definition:
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Bipolar-disorder/Pages/Introduction.aspx
