What disorder is characterized by major mood swings between depression and mania?

Bipolar disorder is characterized by significant mood swings that include episodes of both depression and mania. During the depressive phase, individuals may experience feelings of deep sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of energy or interest in activities. In contrast, during the manic phase, they may feel overly energetic, euphoric, or irritable, often engaging in high-risk behaviors and experiencing racing thoughts.

This disorder is distinct because it encompasses two extreme mood states that can significantly impact a person's daily functioning and relationships. It's important to differentiate bipolar disorder from other mood and anxiety disorders, as they may involve changes in mood but do not have the cyclical pattern of mood states that is a hallmark of bipolar disorder. For instance, major depressive disorder primarily involves depressive episodes without the manic phases, generalized anxiety disorder focuses on chronic anxiety without the mood swings, and schizophrenia largely deals with psychotic features rather than specific mood regulation.