Whar is bipolar exactly? Do you have it?!

Whar is bipolar exactly? Do you have it?

I know someone who has this and also found a family member has this, this is not genetic is it? Like some say depression, anexitety runs in the family. Does Bipolar? If you have this, how does this effect your life or does it not, what are the signs you have it or know someone else has it? Thanks for making my understand this better, I'd like to hear from asking someone rather then going on a search engine site. I love yahoo answers. It changed my life. "For real". I ask everything here, and people help me and I offer my help, its great..I get points..trying to get to level 3 ..give me pts please :) thanks.

I've been a psychiatric nurse for almost 33 years, and many of our patients have been bi-polar. When I first started, they called it manic-depression. That, basically is the same thing as bi-polar because it's times when you feel very active and may do some illogical things, such as spending money. The other side is depression that can get so bad you dont come out of your house for days. But-every diagnosis is a matter of degree. Someone might be labeled bi-polar and they go out every day to work. The next person might not be able to function in the world. There's a very long list of famous people who were bi-polar. In the manic phase, people can produce great art or music. To the best of my knowledge bi-polar is not hereditary. Good luck with your search.