Bipolar disorder

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Bipolar disorder

Suicide is a very real risk during both mania and depression. Suicidal thoughts, ideas, and gestures in people with bipolar affective disorder require immediate emergency attention.

Stopping or improperly taking medication can lead to symptoms coming back and the following complications:

• Alcohol and/or drug abuse may be used as a strategy to "self-medicate."
• Personal relationships, work, and finances may suffer as a result of mood swings.
• Suicidal thoughts and behaviors are a very real complication of bipolar disorder.

This illness is challenging to treat. Patients and their friends and family must be aware of the risks of neglecting to treat bipolar disorder.

Call your health provider or an emergency number right way if:

• You are having thoughts of death or suicide
• You are experiencing severe symptoms of depression or mania
• You have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and your symptoms have returned or you are having any new symptoms

Review Date: 11/15/2006
Reviewed By: Paul Ballas, D.O., Department of Psychiatry, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.