Final answer:
An individual experiencing extreme emotional highs and lows may be diagnosed with bipolar disorder, a mood disorder that affects a person's energy and ability to function and requires clinical treatment.
Step-by-step explanation:
If someone experiences a cycle of extreme highs and extreme lows, he or she may be diagnosed with bipolar disorder. This condition is one of the major mood disorders alongside depression and dysthymic disorder, and can severely affect an individual's life, including their ability to carry out day-to-day tasks. Bipolar disorder was formerly known as manic depression due to the characteristic swings between manic (high) and depressive (low) episodes. These mood swings can lead to a variety of challenges such as lack of concentration, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and memory problems. The diagnosis of bipolar disorder is particularly important because it is a long-term condition that often requires treatment to manage effectively.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, mood disorders are the second most common mental disorders in the United States, affecting a significant portion of the population. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality highlights mood disorders as a leading cause of illness-related hospitalization in the U.S., underscoring the substantial impact these disorders have on healthcare systems.