As with many mental illnesses, dipolar disorder isn't generally understood by the public.

普遍來說，大眾並不了解躁鬱症，對其他精神疾病也一樣。

One in 25 Americans live with bipolar disorder, and it may be thought of as just severe mood swings or even something that's quote 'all in their head', but it's not.

每 25 個美國人就有一個患有躁鬱症，而大家把它想成是一種情緒上起伏很大，甚至只是患者自己「想太多」，但並不是這樣。

This condition should be taken seriously and it's often not treated that way.

這個疾病也沒有受到應得的重視。

So, let's learn a little bit more about bipolar disorder.

那麼，我們來認識一下躁鬱症吧！

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a condition that manifests in the brain and is defined by episodes of extreme mania and depression.

「躁鬱症」，或是「雙極性情感疾患」，是一種因大腦病變，導致一連串的極端「躁狂」和「憂鬱」兩種情緒交替的狀態。

During a manic episode, someone with bipolar disorder typically has lots of energy, makes risky decisions, feels euphoric and is very productive.

在「躁期」，躁鬱症患者通常會精力旺盛，因而做出衝動的決定、亢奮，且非常多產。

Then during a depressive episode, they feel depressed, constantly worried and often think of death or suicide.

到了「鬱期」，患者會感到憂鬱，時常憂心忡忡，偶爾甚至會想著死亡或自殺念頭。

The condition can also be accompanied by psychosis, which is a break from reality when someone may think they're famous, crazy rich or have superpowers.

這個狀態也可能導致精神錯亂，也就是患者分不清現實，幻想自己很有名、超有錢或擁有超能力。

These manic and depressive episodes typically last a few weeks, but can be shorter lived.

這些躁期和鬱期交替會持續幾週，也可能更短。

As one woman put it, one day she can't get out of bed and has to miss work, then the next day, she's loving life, up for 24 hours, and spending money she doesn't have.

一名女性患者說，有天早上她起不來，不想去工作，隔天她突然覺得人生很美好，接下來的將近 24 小時內瘋狂花錢亂買東西。

This condition can affect everything from your career to friendships, to relationships, and even financial stability.

這種情緒極端起伏會影響到病患的工作、人際、愛情，甚至是經濟穩定性。

As with any mental illness, there isn't one known cause of bipolar disorder, but trauma,

就跟許多精神上疾病一樣，躁慮症沒有一個確切的病因，不外乎是創傷、

extreme stress, and drug and alcohol problems can increase your risk of developing the condition.

壓力大或濫用藥物、酗酒等，增加罹患躁鬱症的機率。

Genes also play a part.

基因也是一個因素。

While most people with a family history don't develop the illness, 80-90% of people with bipolar disorder have a relative with either the disorder or depression.

儘管多數有家族病史的人不會發病，但仍然有百分之 80-90 躁鬱症患者的親戚罹患躁症或鬱症其中一種。

For people who do live with the disorder, there's a lot going on in their brains that's different from another person's.

對於有躁鬱症的人來說，他們的大腦比較複雜，和其他人的不太一樣。

They have abnormalities and imbalances in their neurotransmitter systems that scientists believe contribute to the condition.

科學家們相信導致躁鬱症是由於他們神經傳導系統的異常或失衡所引起。

Neurotransmitters are chemicals responsible for controlling the brain's emotions and functions.

神經傳導物質是大腦中負責控制情緒和功能的介質。

It's been thought for a while that these imbalances were probably the main biological cause of bipolar disorder,

一直以來，神經傳導的失衡被認為是導致躁鬱症的生物性主因。

but recent advances have acknowledged there are more parts in play - different brain pathways, neuroplasticity and varying levels of cellular resilience.

但近期研究顯示，病因沒有這麼單純，錯綜的大腦神經、神經可塑性，與多變的細胞彈性都可能是原因。

Scientists have also found that people with dipolar disorder have reduced grey matter in various parts of their brains.

科學家也發現患有躁鬱症的人，他們大腦中很多部分的灰質比較少。

Many parts of their cortices are also thinner than a healthy person's.

他們的部分皮層也比一般人的還要薄。

It's known that stress directly causes the degeneration of neurons, so it's thought that this degeneration could contribute to these reductions.

壓力會直接造成神經退化，因此神經的退化也被視為造成灰質減少與皮層較薄的原因。

We are getting there, but there's definitely still a lot more to learn about bipolar disorder.

我們大致上了解躁鬱症了，但其實還有很多資訊需要深入學習。

While this condition has negatively impacted people's lives, there is hope.

雖然躁鬱症帶給患者生活上負面的影響，但還是有希望的。

If you think that you may have bipolar disorder, it's important to seek professional help.

如果你認為自己可能患有躁鬱症，尋求專業的協助很重要。

Since many people with bipolar disorder only reach out for help when they're going through a depressive episode,

因為很多患有躁鬱症的人，只有在他們經歷「憂鬱」時尋求協助。

be sure to tell your doctor about manic episodes too to make sure you get a proper diagnosis.

但別忘了，也要告訴你的醫生「躁狂」的那一段，才能得到全面的診療。

For free resources to learn more about bipolar disorder or to find help, check out the links in the description.

更多關於躁鬱症知識的免費資源或尋求協助，請於下方資訊欄點選連結。

So are there any other mental illnesses that you want me to cover? Let me know in the comment section below.

觀眾朋友如果有任何想了解的疾病知識，也歡迎在下方留言區給我建議。

And if you found this video helpful, make sure you check out our video on depression.

如果你覺得影片對你有幫助，記得看看我們其他關於憂鬱症的影片。

The activities that used to make them happy, don't anymore.

曾經讓他們很快樂的活動，再也激不起他們的興致。

They may feel hopeless and exhausted, have trouble sleeping, lose their appetite, or have a decrease libido.

他們可能感到沒希望，又疲憊、失眠、沒胃口，或性慾降低。

It can be hard for them to get through the day, or complete routine tasks.

對他們來說日子很難過，也很難完成每天的例行公事。

As always, my name is Blocko, this has been Life Noggin. Don't forget to keep on thinking.

一如往常，我是 Blocko，這裡是 Life Noggin，記得保持思考。