title: [The two sides of the coin: the day-to-day aspect of bipolar disorder].
abstract: The bipolar affective illness is a serious psychiatric disorder, which presents high rate of relapse and apparent functional damage (AZEVEDO, 1998). Because of their impact on society and society in patients, sometimes with drastic consequences, I prepared this article which aims to clarify what is the bipolar disorder, identify her clinical symptoms and treatment and the nursing care that these patients need. There is a great need for knowledge about this disease, so that the general public understands the implications of living this way. There is then a need to integrate the mentally ill into society and the development of techniques that facilitate integration. The nurses, as professionals in the first line of care, have a decisive role in the interaction with these patients, not only in terms of treatment, but mainly in the social integration process of these individuals.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Enfermagem de Saúde Mental e Psiquiátrica da Escola Superior de Enfermagem São João de Deus, Universidade de Evora.
authors.forename: Mauro Filipe Peixe
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Carvalho