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Psychology vocabulary · Mental Health Conditions

Bipolar disorder

Meaning in psychology, with examples

nounCore term

In psychology, bipolar disorder means: A mood disorder in which a person has episodes of mania or hypomania, with very high energy and mood, usually alternating with episodes of depression.

In Turkish: bipolar bozukluk, iki uçlu bozukluk

How it is used

DSM-5 distinguishes bipolar I (at least one manic episode) and bipolar II (hypomania and major depression). Clinicians talk about episodes, mood stabilisers and early warning signs of relapse. The older term manic depression is rarely used now.

Example sentences

  1. He was diagnosed with bipolar disorder after a manic episode at university.

  2. Psychoeducation helps people with bipolar disorder spot early warning signs.

Common collocations

  • bipolar I disorder
  • bipolar II disorder
  • manic episode
  • mood stabiliser
  • moodA general emotional state that lasts longer, is less intense and is less clearly linked to a cause than a single emotion, such as feeling low or irritable for days.
  • depressionA mental health condition marked by persistent low mood or loss of interest and pleasure, often with changes in sleep, appetite, energy and concentration.
  • psychosisA state in which a person loses some contact with reality, usually experiencing hallucinations, delusions or very disorganised thinking.
  • psychoeducationGiving clients and families clear information about a mental health condition, its causes, its course and its treatment, so that they can understand and manage it better.

More terms: Mental Health Conditions

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