Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes extreme shifts in mood, energy, and behavior. People with this condition experience dramatic "highs" called manic or hypomanic episodes, where they may feel unusually energetic, need less sleep, have racing thoughts, or engage in risky behaviors, as well as "lows" called depressive episodes, marked by sadness, low energy, difficulty concentrating, and loss of interest in activities. These mood episodes can last from days to weeks. While individuals will have periods of normal mood between episodes, the condition requires ongoing treatment to help stabilize mood and prevent future episodes.