About 5.7 million American adults or about 2.6 percent of the population age 18 and older have bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is a psychiatric diagnosis for people who suffer from mood swings where the person experiences manic episodes and/or depressive episodes over a period of time.¬† The abnormally elevated mood is described as mania. This is a serious medical illness that affects people’s mood, their energy, and their ability to function. The disorder is also referred to as manic-depressive illness.¬† The ups and downs for someone with bipolar disorder is much more severe than most people would ever experience.

Bipolar disorder is most often diagnosed for adults, although much research is going on about childhood bipoloar disorder, which differs from an adult diagnosis.  Many people are unaware that they have from this condition and suffer unecessarily for years.

Bipolar disorder can be treated and there are many medications that stabilize a persons mood. If you suspect that you or someone you know may suffer from this condition, it is recommended that you seek medial advice.  People with bipolar disorder often display traits common to other disorders. In fact, bipolar patients are sometimes mistakenly diagnosed with ADD or ADHD. 

Additudemag.com comments,

“Perhaps the most difficult differential diagnosis to make is between ADHD and Bipolar Mood Disorder (BMD),¬† since they share many symptoms, including mood instability, bursts of energy and restlessness, talkativeness, and impatience. It‚Äôs estimated that as many as 20 percent of those diagnosed with ADHD also suffer from a mood disorder on the bipolar spectrum — and correct diagnosis is critical in treating bipolar disorder and ADHD together.”

The treatment for Bipolar disorder and ADD or ADHD are not the same and medical advice is needed to understand the difference in the conditions. 
For more information, go to:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/bipolar-disorder/index.shtml