What is Bipolar Disorder?

 

I'd like to ask your help for a moment.  I'm going to write a blog post for this week's Clinical Psychiatry News on Bipolar Disorder.  I'd like to know how you see the term used, or the symptoms that are hallmarks of the illness for you.  If you respond as my favorite commenter, "Anonymous," could I ask that you define yourself...healthy, psychologist, pediatrician, patient with bipolar disorder, friend of someone diagnosed with bipolar disorder....


Also, please just off the top of your head, I can read DSM or Google myself, and I'm more interested in your ideas about what exactly the disorder is.


I may not use your responses (I sort of know what I want to say) but no matter what, I'm curious.  
Thank you so much...