Different Types Of Bipolar Disorder

There are two main types of bipolar disorder, Bipolar I Disorder and Bipolar II Disorder. The key difference between the two types of bipolar disorder is whether or not the person has had a manic episode. To explain the difference between the two major types of bipolar disorder, let’s first take a look at the symptoms of manic episodes and depressive episodes.

The symptoms of a manic episode are inflated self-esteem, decreased need for sleep, talkativeness, racing thoughts or flight of ideas, distractibility, increase in goal-directed activity, and excessive involvement in pleasurable activities that have potential consequences, such as unrestrained shopping or sexual indiscretions. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM IV) of the American Psychiatric Association, if a person experiences a mood disturbance such as unexplained, persistent euphoria along with three or more of those symptoms for at least one week and it is impairing their ability to function, they are having a manic episode. If these symptoms are caused by drug abuse or a medical condition, such as hyperthyroidism, then they are not considered to be evidence of a manic episode.

The symptoms of a depressive episode are a persistent depressed mood, decreased pleasure or total absence of pleasure, weight loss or weight gain, insomnia or increased need for sleep, observable restlessness or slow body movement, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt, diminished ability to think or concentrate, and recurrent thoughts of death or suicide. If someone is experiencing five of the symptoms of depression for at least two weeks, and at least one of those symptoms is a depressed mood or loss of interest in pleasurable activities, they are having a depressive episode. These symptoms must cause significant distress or impairment and not be caused by drug abuse or a medical condition in order to count towards the criteria for a depressive episode.

Now, let’s look at the two types of bipolar disorder. If the person has ever experienced at least one manic episode, they have Bipolar I Disorder. It is common for people with Bipolar I Disorder to have experienced episodes of depression as well. Bipolar II Disorder is characterized by the occurrence of one or more depressive episodes and at least one episode of hypomania, but no manic episodes. If someone has been diagnosed with Bipolar I Disorder or Major Depression and they have a manic episode, their diagnosis should be changed to Bipolar I Disorder. Once an individual has a true manic episode, they automatically fit the criteria for Bipolar I Disorder.

Someone may mistake the types of bipolar disorder as a classification based on the severity of the symptoms. This is not the case. Bipolar I Disorder and Bipolar II Disorder differ on the presence of manic episodes. It is more of a classification based on the degree to which the mania occurs than on the level of impairment the disorder causes. Bipolar disorder affects individuals differently. You could take a sample of people all who have been diagnosed with Bipolar I Disorder and find a large spectrum of varied levels of impairment, distress, and adaptation to the disorder. The same is true for those who suffer from Bipolar II Disorder. If you have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and you have questions about your diagnosis, speak with your doctor. Educating yourself about bipolar disorder and how it affects you is an important step to recovery and wellness.

Next article: Major Bipolar Disorder Symptoms