Bipolar disorder is the third most common mental illness among Thais, after schizophrenia and depression, Srithanya Hospital's chief Sirisak Thitidilokrat told a seminar yesterday to mark World Bipolar Day today.
People who are bipolar are at high risk of committing suicide, he added.
Mr Sirisak said about 117,000 patients had received treatment for mental illness from his hospital last year, mostly from Bangkok and Nonthaburi.
Among them, about 9,100 patients had received treatment for bipolar disorder, he said.
The hospital's deputy chief Santichai Chamjitchuen said people with bipolar disorder often have periods of mania and depression.
He said during manic episodes, patients tend to talk a lot and speak rapidly while many of them develop aggressive behaviour.
During depressive episodes, they feel sad and become aloof. Many of them develop feelings of worthlessness and suicide attempts are common during such episodes, he added.
Bipolar syndrome is common in people aged between 20 and 30, Dr Santichai said.
Patients with bipolar syndrome have an imbalance of chemicals in their brains, said Pongkasem Kaimuk, deputy director-general of the Department of Mental Health at the Ministry of Public Health.
But bipolar syndrome is treatable, the doctor said, adding that medication can help restore the balance of chemicals in the patient's brain.
Continued medical treatment can allow patients to lead productive lives, Dr Santichai said. However, severe cases require brain stimulation therapy to treat the illness, he added. But the chances of a recurrence of the symptoms is high, at 80%-90%, he added.
If left untreated, bipolar disorder tends to worsen over time, he said.
Coffee, alcohol and energy drinks can trigger the symptoms, as can a lack of sleep and stress, he said.
Jumpon Tanta-opas, president of a medical service committee for bipolar patients, said patients require close care in addition to medical treatment to help them lead normal lives.