Bipolar Affective Disorder The phenomenon of Bipolar Affective Disorder has been a mystery since the 16th and 17th century. The Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh was thought to of suffered from bipolar disorder. It appears that there are an abundance of people with the disorder yet, no true causes or cures for the disorder. Clearly the Bipolar disorder severely undermines their ability to obtain and sustain social and occupational success. However, the journey for the causes and cures for the Bipolar disorder must continue. Affective disorders are primarily characterized by depressed mood, elevated mood or (mania), or alternations of depressed and elevated moods. The classical term