Bipolar Disorder and Manic Depressive Illness

Bipolar disorder is often a hereditary disease, meaning that it runs in the family. However, just because one of your relatives has it does not necessarily mean that you will get it, too. Although young children can be diagnosed with manic depression, the illness more frequently appears in young adults and continues throughout life. Teenage boys and girls are equally likely to experience bipolar disorder, but it is often more apparent in girls. This is because girls tend to find it easier to talk about their feelings than do boys.

Sometimes, boys feel that admitting to being depressed means that they are weak and have no control. They tend to suppress or hold back their feelings. In the long run, this only makes life more painful and difficult.