Bipolar Disorder

• Bipolar Disorder has a 1% lifetime prevalence

• The onset of the disease is from 5 years of age to 50 years of age ( mean onset age is 30)

• The disease is more frequent in single or divorced people

• 10-15% of Bipolar patients commit suicide.

	Answer the following questions:	YES	NO
1	Do you have periods of feeling " on top of the world" or of beying irritable/angry?
2	Do you have and inflated self-esteem or beliefs that you have special powers/abilities?
3	Is your speech pressured, rapid, loud? Do people have hard time keeping up with you?
4	Do you have racing thoughts? Do you have many new ideas or plans?
5	Do you go for days with little/no sleep and not feel tired?
6	Are you more active than usual? Do you feel full of energy? Is it hard for you to stay in one place?
7	Are you more interested in sex or pleasurable activities?
8	Are you spending more than you can afford?
9	Do you act recklessly?
10	Are the above interfering with your normal functioning?

  If you answered YES to most of the above questions or if you have depression you might have Bipolar Disorder and you could benefit from psychiatric treatment (antidepressant or mood stabilizing medication, individual or group psychotherapy, etc.)