bipolar disorder is a mental illness that causes dramatic shifts in mood inciting episodes of both mania and depression. during the "manic" episodes patients swing into an unrealistically "high" state of mind and momentarily lose touch with some realities. on the extreme end they may believe they have super powers or to a lesser extent shop vicariously for expensive items them don't need and usually can't afford. these episodes alternate with a depressive state. during this period there is a lack of energy irritability sadness and a feeling of hopelessness. in between there are can be periods where the patient seems normal balanced and in control. a small percentage of bipolar patients do however experience chronic residual symptoms. the early designation for this condition was "manic depression". now it is called bipolar disorder to indicate polar opposites or again shifts in mood and perception.
what is bipolar disorder and why is it sometimes called manic depression?