Bipolar disorder, previously referred to as bipolar disorder , may be a mental disturbance characterized by periods of depression and periods of abnormally elevated mood that last from days to weeks each. If the elevated mood is severe or related to psychosis, it's called mania; if it's less severe, it's called hypomania. During mania, a private behaves or feels abnormally energetic, happy, or irritable, and that they often make impulsive decisions with little regard for the results. there's usually also a reduced need for sleep during manic phases. during times of depression, the individual may experience crying and have a negative outlook on life and poor eye contact with others. the danger of suicide is high; over a period of 20 years, 6% of these with manic depression died by suicide, while 30–40% engaged in self-harm. Other psychological state issues, like anxiety disorders and substance use disorders, are commonly related to manic depression.