Bipolar disorder, sometimes called manic-depressive illness, is a serious mental illness. Children with bipolar disorder have unusual mood changes. Sometimes they feel very happy or "up" and are much more active than usual. And sometimes they feel very sad and "down" and are much less active than usual.
Bipolar disorder goes beyond the day's ordinary ups and downs and is becoming a serious medical condition and important health concern in this country. This condition is characterized by periodic episodes of extreme elation, happiness, elevated mood, or irritability (also called mania) countered by periodic symptoms of major depression.