[Bipolar disorders: the disease of extreme emotions].

Bipolar disorder is characterized by alternating phases of manic and depressive states that are separated by variably long and sometimes symptom-free intervals. Rapid changes in symptoms and mixed states during acute episodes can make diagnosis difficult. The risk of suicide is high. For diagnostic confirmation, the patient should be referred to a specialist as early as possible. The therapy should also be carried out in close collaboration with a neurologist or psychiatrist. The role of the family physician is to monitor the pharmaceutical phase prophylaxis and to attend to the patient's comorbidities.