In the news or on social media, we hear the term "bipolar disorder" a lot.
Whether it's celebrities opening up about their diagnoses or an investigation finding that a person has struggled with the illness, such accounts often shape people's perceptions of this mood disorder that can manifest in countless ways and be difficult to diagnose.
The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance defines bipolar disorder as a treatable mental health condition marked by extreme changes in mood, thought, energy and behavior and notes that "it's not a character flaw or a sign of personal weakness."
