Bipolar I disorder is a mood disorder characterized by periods of manic behavior alternating with major depression. “Bipolar disorder affects approximately five million seven hundred thousand American adults each year,” says the National Institute of Health. There are two types of bipolar disorder; there is bipolar disorder one and two. Bipolar I disorder requires at least one manic episode, and in 80 to 90 percent of cases, people also experience depression. A manic episode is defined as a distinct period of abnormally and persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable mood lasting at least one week or more. Some symptoms that distinguish bipolar I are: agitation, suicidal tendencies, family history of bipolar disorder, increased frequency of depressive episodes and are usually found at a younger age. Although bipolar needs to be treated properly, bipolar in most cases requires more attention/treatment. That being said, if a person with bipolar disorder is not in a healthy environment for a bipolar person, the effects can be horrific. Bipolar disorder is said to reduce your life expectancy by nine years. Bipolar disorder is believed to be a genetic disorder. Bipolar I disorder is rarer than bipolar II disorder. Again, if a parent has bipolar disorder, their offspring have a higher risk rate for bipolar disorder. A study at John Hopkins was done on patients with bipolar disorder. “Researchers found that 40% of 47 first-degree relatives of bipolar II patients also had bipolar II disorder; 22% of 219 first-degree relatives of bipolar I patients suffered from bipolar II disorder. However, among patients with bipolar II disorder, researchers found only one parent with bipolar I disorder. They concluded...... middle of paper...... very severe. If these two conditions are not treated properly, a coexisting condition can turn into a life-threatening condition. Today, the disease can be life-threatening in several ways that have already been discussed. For example, some people resort to drug and alcohol abuse to cope with the illness caused by their severe depression. In particular, people with bipolar disorder are more likely to experience substance and alcohol abuse. Bipolar disorder can also be a symptom of alcoholism. Medication for bipolar disorder is a combination of mood stabilizers, seditative-hypnotics, and mood stabilizers. Other treatments include creating a stable environment, where the subject can take medication, psychotherapy, stress reduction, and educating the family about bipolar disorder. Additionally, subjects may coexist with bipolar disorder if treated properly..