Bipolar I disorder is a mood disorder characterized by periods of manic behavior alternating with major depression. “Bipolar disorder affects approximately five million seven hundred thousand American adults each year,” says the National Institutes of Health. There are two types of bipolar disorder; there's bipolar disorder one and two. Bipolar I disorder requires at least one manic episode, and in 80-90% of cases people also suffer from depression. A manic episode is defined as a distinct period of abnormally and persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable mood that lasts at least a week or more. Some symptoms that distinguish the difference between bipolar I are: agitation, suicidal tendencies, family history of bipolar disorder, increased frequency of depressive episodes and usually found at a younger age. Although bipolar disorder needs to be treated appropriately, in most cases bipolar disorder needs more attention/treatment. That said, if someone with bipolar disorder is not in a healthy environment for someone who is bipolar, the effects can be horrific. Bipolar disorder is said to take nine years off your life expectancy. Bipolar disorder is believed to be a genetic disease. Bipolar I disorder is rarer than bipolar II. Again, if a parent has bipolar disorder, the offspring has a higher risk rate for bipolar disorder. A study at John Hopkins was conducted among patients with bipolar disorder. “The researchers found that 40% of 47 first-degree relatives of bipolar II patients also had bipolar II disorder; Twenty-two percent of 219 first-degree relatives of bipolar I patients had bipolar II disorder. However, among patients with bipolar II disorder, the researchers found only one relative with bipolar I disorder. They conclude... in the middle of the paper... very severe. If these two diseases are not treated properly, a coexisting disease can turn into a very life-threatening disease. Now the disease can pose a threat to life in many ways that have already been covered. For example, some people resort to drug and alcohol abuse to cope with the disease due to their severe depression. Especially people with bipolar disorder are more likely to fall victim to substance and alcohol abuse. Additionally, bipolar disorder can be a symptom of alcoholism. Bipolar disorder medication is a combination of mood stabilizers, sedentary hyptonics, and mood stabilizers. Other treatments include having a stable environment where the individual can take medications, psychotherapy, stress reduction, and educating the family about bipolar disorder. Additionally, individuals can coexist with bipolar disorder if treated appropriately.