What is bipolar disorder?published at 16:54 BST
16:54 BST
Dominic Hughes
Health correspondent
In our last post we reported that in January, Kanye West apologised for antisemitic remarks he had made in the past. In part, he blamed his bipolar disorder.
Bipolar is characterised by extreme shifts in mood – from a very excited or energetic mania, to the lows of depression.
It can also lead to impulsive, sometimes reckless, behaviour.
There will be times – months or even years – when someone’s mood may be stable. But when they are in the grip of a manic episode, friends and family will often describe how their personality can change radically, leading them to say and do things that are completely out of character.
Treatments include talking therapies, but also drugs, including antipsychotics, antidepressants and mood stabilisers, such as lithium and Valproic Acid. There can be unpleasant side effects, such as weight gain, tremors, and nausea.
Some have also argued that the blunting of emotional states has a negative impact on artistic creativity.
So while the medication can be very effective, sticking with it can also be challenging.