Bipolar patients are also more susceptible to developing problems like substance abuse, anxiety disorders such as panic attacks and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD.
Dr Wang explained: 'There's an overlap in brain chemicals and functions. If one part of the brain is screwed, other parts may be too.'
Bipolar disorder can be difficult to diagnose for several reasons. One, it may be masked by other conditions like substance abuse or bulimia.
Two, the symptoms of bipolar depression are similar to normal depression and doctors can only confidently diagnose bipolar disorder if the patient does not respond as well to anti-depressant medication.
Like many illnesses, bipolar disorder can range from mild to severe. With regular psychiatric reviews and medication, patients with mild to moderate bipolar disorder can lead normal lives and maintain satisfying relationships.
In such cases, the mainstay of treatment is medication as well as counselling for the patient and his family. Different combinations of mood stabilisers, anti-depressants, anti-psychotic drugs and sedatives may be needed.
In severe cases, electroconvulsive therapy may be prescribed. The treatment is done in a hospital and a controlled electric shock is applied to the patient's head while he is medicated and under anaesthesia.
Asked if medication is more effective in treating bipolar disorder than counselling, Dr Chua said: 'Medication is often more effective as it can directly target the neurotransmitter abnormalities that cause the symptoms.
'Having said that, counselling plays an important role too in educating patients about their illness and in helping them to manage their stress levels.'
Dr Wang said: 'I get my patients to recognise certain dysfunctional thought patterns. For example, if they say their boss hates them, I show them how it's not true and to recognise their own faulty reasoning.
'It's more than thinking positive. I challenge my patients to change their behaviour. If they think no one likes them, I ask them to smile or go up to people first.'
As bipolar disorder is a long-running illness, continual consultation and treatment is necessary. Patients may experience long periods of feeling normal but the disorder may suddenly return.
Once diagnosed, patients usually require medication for at least a year to remain stable.
More than 90 per cent of patients with a single manic episode go on to have more. Between 5 and 15 per cent of patients have four or more episodes in a year while 10 to 15 per cent eventually commit suicide.
Bleak statistics aside, there is a positive aspect to having bipolar disorder - greater creative powers. Researchers have found a link between bipolar disorder and a higher level of creativity.
That explains why the ranks of bipolar disorder patients read like a who's who of the arts world, including American writer Ernest Hemingway, British novelist Virginia Woolf and American comedian Ben Stiller.
Dr Ng said: 'I often find myself marvelling at the intensity with which individuals with bipolar disorder experience life.
'Many patients with mild bipolar disorder enjoy their highs and prefer not to tell anybody. Once diagnosed, they are concerned that medication will take away the pleasurable states and their creativity.'
