Defining Bipolar Disorder, The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) states "Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in a person's mood, energy, and ability to function." I describe it as having a broken brain. Sometimes my brain is really broken, shattered like glass does when dropped on a hard surface. Then as much, its break is small like a child's toy needing piecing together. Medication and therapy provide relief from the pain and suffering the brokenness gives. The shattered glass brings mania, psychosis and severe depression. The broken toys lends to hypo-mania, moderate depression, and irrational thoughts.
Even though episodes of mania and depression naturally come and go, it is important to understand that bipolar disorder is a long-term illness that currently has no cure. Staying on treatment, even during well times, can help keep the disease under control and reduce the chance of having recurrent, worsening episodes. (NIMH)
Months can go by and symptoms can be found without, yet the brain always remains broken.
