Types of Bipolar Disorder

The bipolar classifications in this post are loosely paraphrased from the DSM-IV-Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition published by the American Psychiatric Association, research by the National Institute of Mental Health, and interviews with leading bipolar experts.

Bipolar I

This is the most severe type of bipolar disorder and the classic type. A diagnosis of Bipolar I requires at least one full-blown manic episode some time during a per-son’s life that doctors cannot attribute to another cause, such as a medication or substance abuse. The manic episode must last at least one week, or be serious enough to require hospitalization or cause functional impairment in some aspect of a person’s life (marriage, career, finances, etc.). Interestingly, a major depressive episode is not required to be diagnosed with this form of bipolar disorder, but it is almost always present and usually even much more common than the manic episodes.

Bipolar II

Most experts agree that there are versions of bipolar disorder that don’t produce full mania, yet respond very well to mood-stabilizing medications. People whose symptoms fit this category are often diagnosed with Bipolar II, sometimes called “soft” bipolar. According to Dr. Ghaemi, the primary difference between Bipolar I and Bipolar II is that the manic symptoms of the latter are not severe enough to cause functional impairment.

“With Bipolar II, the sufferer won’t become so grandiose that he or she loses his job,” says Dr. Ghaemi. “They will be much more active than normal, but they won’t have problems due to those activities.”

To be diagnosed with Bipolar II, a person must experience at least one major depressive episode that doctors can’t attribute to another cause and at least one episode of hypomania during his or her lifetime. People with Bipolar II never experience a full-blown manic episode. If they do, their diagnosis would likely be upgraded to Bipolar I. Again, usually there are many more depressive than hypomanic episodes.

Read more

The Many Faces and Facets of Bipolar Disorder

The Many Faces and Facets of Bipolar Disorder – Full pdf file including pictures and personal stories

Bipolar disorder can show up in many costumes. It can be happy or sad, euphoric or desperate, energized or exhausted. It can party until dawn, unleash unparalleled creativity, and woo strangers. It can also terrify store clerks, drain bank accounts, and drive away loved ones. It can bring on the voices of heaven or hell.

More than two million American adults, or about 1 percent of the population age 18 and older in any given year, have bipolar disorder, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. The illness typically develops in late adolescence or early adulthood. It is often not recognized as an illness-instead chalked up to a personality quirk or diagnosed as unipolar depression-and people may suffer for years before they receive proper treatment.

Bipolar disorder is one of the most complex forms of mental illness-each case is unique to the particular patient. It’s not like the flu, in which the illness takes a predictable path, or even cancer, where a “cure” is always hoped for in spite of the unpredictability of the disease. There is no fail-safe remedy for bipolar disorder, and the symptoms of the diagnosis can often change throughout the life of the individual.
Read more

10 Signs Your Friend or Loved One is Depressed

1. Always too busy to spend time with friends and/or loved ones.
2. Lying about everything, even simple things.
3. Running home to eat-something, anything-and lot’s of it because it’s their only comfort.
4. Forcing themselves to do everything because they don’t have the energy.
5. Unable to concentrate on much of anything.

Read more

Risk Factors for Bipolar Disorder

Between 1,000,000 and 2,000,000 Americans are thought to suffer from bipolar disorder. Estimates of the lifetime risk for the disorder run between 1.0 – 1.5%. There is some indication that the incidence of bipolar disorder may be increasing, but more research is needed to confirm this. There is no one specific cause of Bipolar Disorder. However, it has been determined it has both genetic and environmental components.

Read more