Bipolar I disorder

Bipolar I disorder is when a person's feelings change from really, really happy to really, really sad pretty quickly. It's like having two different "moods," and sometimes it feels like you can't control them.

When a person is really happy, we call it "mania." This is when you feel like you can do anything, you have lots of energy, and you think your ideas are amazing. It might feel like you don't need to sleep very much or that you can stay up all night doing things.

But then, when a person with bipolar I disorder starts feeling sad, it can be super intense. We call this "depression." In this mood, you might feel very sad and cry a lot, but you also might feel like you're nothing and your ideas are terrible. Sometimes people even have thoughts about hurting themselves.

It's important that if someone with bipolar I disorder is feeling really, really happy or really, really sad, they tell somebody (like a doctor or a parent) and get the help they need. There are medicines and treatments that can help people feel more balanced and in control of their emotions.