RT Journal
A1 Torpy JM, Lynm C, Glass RM
T1 BIpolar disorder
JF JAMA
JO JAMA
YR 2009
FD February 4
VO 301
IS 5
SP 564
OP 564
DO 10.1001/jama.301.5.564
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.301.5.564
AB 
Bipolar disorder , formerly known as manic depression, is a mental illness that affects as many as 10 million individuals in the United States alone. It is called bipolar disorder because there are 2 phases to the illness: an "up," or manic  phase, and a "down," or depressive  phase. Bipolar disorder is distinguished from unipolar depression , which is recurrent episodes of depression without any episodes of elevated mood. Persons who have bipolar disorder may have either more episodes of mania or more episodes of depression in the course of their illness. Like other chronic illnesses (such as diabetes and hypertension), bipolar disorder can be treated. Bipolar disorder is associated with a high rate of suicide. It is important for persons with bipolar disorder to receive proper diagnosis and treatment with a psychiatrist as early as possible to minimize their risk of self-harm. Psychiatrists  are medical doctors who have specialized education in treating persons who have mental illness. The February 4, 2009, issue of JAMA contains an article about smoking cessation in persons with bipolar disorder and other mental illnesses.