Word parts
What it means
In mental health, "bipolar" usually refers to bipolar disorderby-POH-ler dis-OR-derA mental health condition with periods of very high mood and energy (mania) and, often, periods of depression.bi- twopol/o pole-ar having to do withFull entry , an illness with mood episodes at two opposite poles: mania or hypomania and depression. In surgery, bipolar electrocautery passes current only between the two tips of a forceps, rather than through the client's body. In biology, a bipolar neuron has two extensions.
For the nurse
Use person-first language in charting: "a client with bipolar disorder", not "a bipolar".
At a glance
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Related terms
bipolar disorder
A mental health condition with periods of very high mood and energy (mania) and, often, periods of depression.
irritability
A state of being easily annoyed, upset or made angry; in babies, fussiness and crying that is hard to soothe.