b'Bipolar Disorder Studies show the prevalence of bipolar disorder is roughly doubled in peoplewith MS compared to the general population. Bipolar disorder, formerly known asmanic-depression, is a condition that involves signicant shifts in mood, energylevels, and behavior. In Bipolar Type I, these shifts can be extreme and evident. InBipolar Type II, ups may not be so high, and downs may not be so low. Stereo-types associated with bipolar disorder may prevent people from recognizing theneed to seek help.People having a manic episode may: People having a depressive episode may:Feel very up, high, elated, or irritable Feel very sad, down, empty, worried, or touchy or hopelessFeel jumpy or wiredFeel slowed down or restlessHave a decreased need for sleep Have trouble falling asleep, wake up tooearly, or sleep too muchHave a loss of appetite Experience increased appetite and weight gainTalk very fast about a lot of dierent Talk very slowly, feel like they havethings nothing to say, forget a lotFeel like their thoughts are racing Have trouble concentrating or makingdecisionsThink they can do a lot of things at onceFeel unable to do even simple thingsDo risky things that show poor Have little interest in almost all activities,judgment, such as eat and drinka decreased or absent sex drive, or anexcessively, spend or give away a inability to experience pleasure lot of money, or have reckless sex(anhedonia)Feel like they are unusually important, Feel hopeless or worthless, think abouttalented, or powerfuldeath or suicideSource: National Institute of Mental HealthMaking a diagnosis of bipolar disorder can be complicated in a person withMS, because lesions in certain areas of the brain can cause mania. Furthermore,personality changes such as disinhibition and emotional lability can be confusedfor bipolar disorder. It is important to take the time with the healthcare professionalto sort out the true cause of the symptoms, as these conditions require dierenttreatments.8'