We call it “bipolar” because manic-depressive isn’t quite accurate. You can have hypomania and depression and be bipolar, but you technically can’t be manic-depressive.
You should also sit down and talk to someone who has been helped by Lithium. It is a crippling, crippling disorder that does not deserve to be taken lightly or made fun of. I sincerely doubt you’ve lived with someone who has bipolar disorder or have it yourself. From what I’ve heard, it’s godawful.
Thank you! As someone with a son who is BiPolar, I can tell you that public misinformation and misconceptions and stigma make dealing with these devastating illnesses doubly difficult. Am am a teacher for NAMI for a 12-week course to help families understand and better help their ill relative. I am also my State's coordinator for this course, called Family-to-Family (Watch the video). If anyone reading this knows of families with loved ones suffering serious mental illness, please tell them about NAMI and the Family-to-Family program.