Bipolar disorder is a chronic, intermittent illness that is associated with high morbidity & mortality. Patients with bipolar disorder often have comorbid psychiatric conditions or medical disorders, which result in added burden on the patients, family, & treating clinicians. Bipolar disorder is often undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, resulting in incorrect or inadequate treatment. Early & accurate diagnosis, aggressive management, & earlier prophylactic treatment regimens are needed to overcome the impact of depressive episodes in patients with bipolar disorder. (LC) (48 refs)