What mental disorder is associated with extreme mood changes, including highs and lows?

What mental disorder is associated with extreme mood changes, including highs and lows?

• A. Schizophrenia
• B. Autism Spectrum Disorder
• C. Depression
• D. Bipolar Disorder

Answer: (D)

Bipolar disorder is characterized by significant and extreme mood changes, oscillating between manic episodes, which are periods of elevated mood, energy, and activity, and depressive episodes, where individuals may experience sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest in activities. These fluctuations can impact a person's daily functioning, relationships, and overall quality of life. In contrast, schizophrenia primarily involves symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking, without the cycling mood states that define bipolar disorder. Autism spectrum disorder is characterized by difficulties in social interaction and communication, as well as restricted or repetitive behaviors and interests, rather than pronounced mood changes. Depression, while it includes symptoms of low mood, does not encompass the duality of both manic highs and depressive lows that is intrinsic to bipolar disorder. Therefore, the identification of bipolar disorder as the correct answer highlights the unique nature of its mood regulation challenges.

Bipolar disorder is characterized by significant and extreme mood changes, oscillating between manic episodes, which are periods of elevated mood, energy, and activity, and depressive episodes, where individuals may experience sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest in activities. These fluctuations can impact a person's daily functioning, relationships, and overall quality of life.

In contrast, schizophrenia primarily involves symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking, without the cycling mood states that define bipolar disorder. Autism spectrum disorder is characterized by difficulties in social interaction and communication, as well as restricted or repetitive behaviors and interests, rather than pronounced mood changes. Depression, while it includes symptoms of low mood, does not encompass the duality of both manic highs and depressive lows that is intrinsic to bipolar disorder. Therefore, the identification of bipolar disorder as the correct answer highlights the unique nature of its mood regulation challenges.