Bipolar disorder, a serious mental illness is also known as manic depression. It typically begins in adolescence or early adulthood, according to the National Institutes of Health, and causes severe mood swings. These mood swings can interfere with relationships, cause poor performance in school or work, and in some cases, result in suicide.
There are four basic types of bipolar disorder; before effective treatment can be given, the patient must receive the proper diagnosis.
Bipolar I
Due to extreme episodes of mania, which produces symptoms of euphoria, hyperactivity, impairment of judgment and hallucinations, bipolar I is the most severe form of this illness, according to the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. Patients typically experience episodes of mania, or mixed episodes--a combination of both mania and depression, lasting every day for a minimum of seven days. In many cases, the symptoms are so severe that the patient requires hospitalization, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Episodes of depression typically follow the manic episodes and last a period of two weeks.
Bipolar II
Bipolar II is a less severe than bipolar I, shifting back and forth between episodes of depression and hypomania. Hypomania, according to HelpGuide, is a less severe form of mania. While the patient may have an elevated mood and appear energetic, he is able to perform everyday activities and does not suffer from hallucinations or become delusional.
The Mayo Clinic points out that depressive episodes generally last longer than episodes of hypomania, with the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance adding that this type of bipolar is often misdiagnosed as major depression if the episodes of hypomania are not recognized.
Bipolar Not Otherwise Specified (BP-NOS)
A person with BP-NOS may not behave normally, but she may have too few symptoms to meet the criteria of bipolar I or II, or her symptoms may not last long enough. Symptoms for this type of bipolar disorder do not follow a specific pattern, such as hypomania without depression. Treatment is still available once the symptoms are recognized.
Cyclothymic
A mild form of bipolar, cyclothymic patients experience symptoms of both hypomania and depression for a minimum of two years, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Its symptoms can disrupt the patient's life, and may change as years progress; however, its symptoms do not fall neatly into any other category.
