When a person receives a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, therapists distinguish among three different types of the disorder: bipolar I disorder, bipolar II disorder and cyclothymia. When a therapist or psychiatrist pinpoints the specific diagnosis, many characteristics are considered. All three types of bipolar disorder require long-term treatment and monitoring, usually including medication and psychotherapy.
Mania
To receive a diagnosis of bipolar I disorder, the client must have experienced at least one manic episode. Symptoms of manic episodes include extreme happiness or irritability, little need for sleep or food, high energy, inflated sense of self, rapid speech and poor judgment, according to the Mayo Clinic. Many people who experience manic episodes participate in such risky and impulsive behaviors as spending sprees, having unprotected sex with strangers, engaging in excessive alcohol use and illegal drug use and drinking and driving.
Hypomania
Hypomania includes the same symptoms as mania but to a lesser degree of severity. For example, the client will still experience irritability or euphoria, little need for sleep or food and bursts of energy, but he's much less likely to put his life at risk and participate in dangerous behaviors due to these symptoms.
The distinction between bipolar I disorder and bipolar II disorder occurs with hypomanic and manic episodes. If a client reports symptoms of hypomania, then he will receive a diagnosis of bipolar II disorder. If the client relates manic episodes, the diagnosis changes to bipolar I disorder. Bipolar II disorder is less severe than bipolar I disorder but still requires treatment. Many times, people suffering from bipolar I disorder require a psychiatric hospitalization to stabilize their moods. Trouble with the law is also more common in bipolar I patients.
Depression
To receive a diagnosis of bipolar II disorder, the client must have experienced at least one major depressive episode, but clients do not have to experience depressive episodes to receive a bipolar I diagnosis. Major depressive episodes include extreme feelings of sadness or irritability, loss of pleasure, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, restlessness, issues eating and sleeping and suicidal ideation, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). People who suffer from major depressive episodes often have problems at work and maintaining healthy relationships with friends and family members.
Rapid Cycling
The other bipolar diagnosis, cyclothymia, occurs when a person experiences symptoms of depression and hypomania in rapid cycles. A client with this disorder would not have full blown major depressive or manic episodes, and her mood would shift from sadness to irritability or happiness often. To receive this diagnosis, a person must experience these symptoms for a period of at least two years, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.
