Bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder is a mental illness involving mood fluctuations between extreme highs (mania) and lows (depression). Some people with bipolar disorder also experience psychosis and become unable to discern what is real. It typically develops in late adolescence or early adulthood.

Bipolar presents differently in everyone with the disorder, but typically involves periods of mania and depression. These periods can last for varying amounts of time, and some people may experience one much more frequently than the other.

 

How The Florey is making a difference

Using post-mortem human brain tissue in conjunction with preclinical research, the Florey is working to understand the biochemical changes in the brain that may give rise to bipolar disorder. The Florey also maintains close collaborations with clinicians with a particular interest in bipolar disorder to ensure our research remains at the cutting edge of biological psychiatry.

More information

Please note that The Florey is a research institute that conducts research into various brain and mental health conditions. There are no clinical or diagnostic services at The Florey and we are unable to give advice on treatment in individual cases.

If you require immediate support please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. For more information or support contact beyondblue on 1300 224 636. If your life is in immediate danger call 000.

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