Bipolar disorder is a mental illness characterized by periods of extreme depression and mania. It affects about 3-5% of the population worldwide. While there is a genetic component, having bipolar parents does not guarantee a bipolar child. Treatment involves medication and therapy to manage the mood cycles, which can last from hours to years in duration. Living with bipolar disorder strains relationships and impacts work, school, finances and family life due to the unpredictable shifts in mood and behavior.