Women’s role in today’s society has changed dramatically since 19th Amendment was passed in 1920. This is the law that gave women the right to vote. But as recent surveys show, today’s women still struggle to attain equal footing with men.

One major issue is respect. Women are under valued with regards to their role as homemakers. They need to exert more effort to help their husbands make both ends meet especially in times of economic crisis. Women have to perform a balancing act of making a career and raising a family at the same time.

In the male dominated business world, motherhood is not given much priority. Although there are laws that allow women to take maternity leave with pay. And other benefits that are already in place to all other workers.

On the first ten days of the Obama administration, the U.S. Congress passed the Lily Ledbetter Act which allows equal pay for all irregardless of gender, race or age. This is another milestone in women's struggle for equal rights in the society today.
It may take some years for older men to accept and give credit to the role of the women in the home, in the political arena as well as in business, what’s good is that the world is slowly changing its views on women.

If you happen to know of people with bipolar disorder, you know that the condition can be serious and disabling. It is a type of mental illness that’s characterized by periods of mania and depression.

People with bipolar disorder may at one time feel euphoric and are extremely optimistic. They also have an inflated self-esteem, but their judgment is often poor, and they usually present with aggressive behavior. Then at another time, they may be sad and depressed with feelings of hopelessness. They may be anxious, too, and quite a lot of them have suicidal tendencies.

Hospitalization is necessary to ensure the safety of the person with bipolar disorder especially when he or she engages in activities that are a threat to himself or herself and others. Very often, people with bipolar disorder do not have control of things. Take note also that two People with bipolar can act very differently. Symptoms vary from one hour to the next. It is very crucial that family members recognize the signs and symptoms.

Encouragement and support from family members are very important. Just as important, too, is to seek immediate medical help if the person with the disorder presents with any serious or critical symptoms.

If you are closely associated with a person with bipolar disorder, it is very important that you understand the nature of the condition and how to deal with it.

Bipolar disorder is a mental illness wherein there are periods of excitability (mania) alternating with periods of depression. The "mood swings" between mania and depression can be very abrupt. The cause of this disorder, which is likely to occur more often in people with bipolar relatives, is still known.

Severe bipolar symptoms include psychosis such as hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia. It is very frightening and confusing to members of the family seeing their loved one experiencing such symptoms. Family involvement is very beneficial to the sufferer in helping him or her cope with the illness because he or she has no control over the feelings of depression and hopelessness. Family support and understanding are very important even if it not appreciated.

Most often it is the family members who suffer a great deal because of the provocative, aggressive, or destructive behaviors of people who suffer bipolar. It is extremely important to recognize the signs and symptoms of such problems and the patient should be treated by a specialist.

Usually, the treatments of choice are mood stabilizing medications, like Lithiumand valproic acid.
This is effective for treating both the manic and depressive phases, as well as preventing future symptoms. Drugs can be effective in reducing acute psychotic symptoms, while long-term compliance with medication will help prevent recurring of symptoms in the future.