“Bipolarity affects more than a million French people”

What is bipolarity?

It is a psychological illness characterized by moments of manic excitement and moments of severe depression. Both the frequency and severity of the cycles – elation followed by depression – are specific to each patient: there can be a cycle every ten years, or one every three weeks. There are bipolar type 1, with mania (former manic-depressive illness), and bipolar type 2, with hypomania. This pathology affects 2% of the population, or 1.3 million French people.

Where does this disease come from?

It is due to a dysfunction of neurotransmitters, these chemical molecules which transmit information between neurons. It most often occurs in young adults, around the age of 20, and carries risks of suicide or addiction. A genetic predisposition is likely. It should not be confused with cyclothymia or the alternation of happy moments and sadness: it is everyone’s lot! We speak of pathology in the face of disproportionate behavior.

What are the treatments?

Basic medications are mood regulators, such as lithium, but multidisciplinary care is necessary (psychotherapy, support group, etc.). Seventy to 80% of people with bipolar disorder can live almost normally. Hence the importance of diagnosis and information.

*Chantal Henry is also president of the scientific council of the Pierre Deniker Foundation, which supports information and research in mental health.