Mood disorders are considered to be severe mental illnesses. Two of the most common mood disorders are depression and bipolar disorder, the manic-depressive illness. It is said that one in four adults-approximately 57.7 million American's experience a mental health disorder within a given year. Bipolar disorder affects approximately 5.7 million American adults, approximately 2.6 percent of the adult population per year. And that's the bad news.

So you think you know of someone who may be affected by a mood disorder, but how can you tell? Are they hopelessly moody one minute and then joyfully flirty the next? Do their moods run to the extreme? Drinking and drugs and then the law? The following indicators will help you determine the possibility of a mood disorder in someone you know. As with any illness, any danger to oneself should be attended to immediately. Encourage medical attention, or even dial 911. The following symptoms may indicate a bipolar mood disorder: Extreme Mood Swings-From Elation to Depression, Concurrent Feelings of Hopelessness or Guilt, No Need for Sleep or the Desire to Party, Thoughts of Suicide or Suicidal Attempts (Go to the Nearest Hospital or Dial 911), Behaving Recklessly, Racing Thoughts, Confusion, Sexual Impropriety, Getting Into Trouble with the Law, Rage or Agitation, Threatening Behavior.

A mood disorder of depression may coincide with the depressive side of bipolar. In either disorder, one may experience some of the following symptoms: Change in Sleep Pattern, Feelings of Worthlessness, Suicidal Thoughts or Behaviors, Loss of Interest in Favorite Things, A Change in Appetite, Fatigue, Inability to Concentrate, Physical Symptoms. Overwhelming Sadness.

Most of my life was spent flying below the radar. The having of symptoms did not make anyone alarmed. To my husband I was interesting, to my parents adoring and helpful and to the rest of the world, I was the go getter, willing to pitch in with enthusiasm to get things done. I was creative, I thought of inventions, I was a natural born salesman, I was flirty, engaging and ready for the game. I went through a period of drinking to drunkenness and that desire for drugs kept haunting me. Mirrors and lines.

Frankly I was hypomanic (elation and hyperactive) and for many years I ran until finally I was caught. That's the funny thing about bipolar disorder. It may not be seen until it is seen. And rearing that ugly head, yes it's got one ugly head. I liked to party but I could have some serious road rage. I like to drive 110 in the Corvette, I love to drive fast. I was creative, and in my life I moved faster than my own detected speed. Fortunately, something stopped me, for I was becoming risky and thinking dangerously not to mention driving wildly. After a familial crisis took me to a place where no denial could be found, I began to break down and break out. But the mental breakdown is not in the diagnostic criteria anymore. So I would succumb to a life I had never known.

The good news: I am your example. I am a suicide survivor. I am a pharmaceutical survivor. I survived (so far) the ills of bipolar disorder. And so if I can do it, you can too. There are medications for the symptoms (I have tried 41 of them). It is possible to be highly functional after a diagnosis. That dream of remission is precisely what gives life's participants optimism. Pharmaceuticals available, sometimes they work, and sometimes don't but there are hundreds for the try if your strong enough to fight the battle, the win is possible. Life as a patient is a series of trial and error attempts. It is psychotherapy and blind faith. There is also an elective they call E.C.T.: Electroconvulsive Therapy E.C.T. involves electrocurrent which passes through the brain. I do not know of this personally but I am willing for the try when events point to necessary.

Whether the meds work, or talk therapy settles you, or ETC changes the game, life can be good. While you wait, there are groups, associations and community mental health clinics that await your call. They are for our benefit. Generally speaking, treatment works, if you can get it and make the commitment. But one of the steps to wellness is taking that first step.

Find Cynthia and her fast paced memoir at Life Is Like a Line: A Memoir of Moods, Medication, and Mania