A “Bipolar Disorder and Addiction Intervention” is an orchestrated attempt by one or many people – usually family and friends – to get someone to seek professional help that specializes in mental health and addictions.

What is the definition of Bipolar Disorder? Bipolar disorder is a “mental illness” characterized by periods of depression and periods of elevated mood. The elevated mood is significant and is known as mania or hypomania depending on its severity or whether symptoms of psychosis are present.

• During mania, an individual behaves or feels abnormally energetic, happy or irritable.
• Individuals often make poorly thought out decisions with little regard to the consequences.
• The need for sleep is usually reduced during manic phases as well.
• During periods of depression there may be crying, a negative outlook on life, and poor eye contact with others.

The risk of suicide among those with the illness is high at greater than 6 percent over 20 years, while self-harm occurs in 30-40 percent.

Other mental health issues such as anxiety disorder and substance use disorder are commonly associated.