Also called bipolar disorder, bipolar depression is a psychiatric disorder characterised by periods of mania alternating with periods of depression, usually interspersed with relatively long intervals of normal mood. The condition affects parts of the human brain controlling emotion, thought and drive and is likely caused by certain genetic and environmental factors.

Bipolar depression can be hard to cope with as the disease causes bipolar behaviour in people who experience unexpected mood changes that can range from excitement and elevated mood and up to frustration, irritability, anxiety and anger.