Bipolar Disorders

Overview

Bipolar disorder, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, is a mood disorder where patients cycle between mania and depression. However, not all patients exhibit the same symptoms of bipolar disorder: some patients may have more distinct mania symptoms, while other patients may have more depression symptoms. There are four types of bipolar disorder: bipolar I disorder, bipolar II disorder, bipolar disorder NOS and cyclothymia.

Bipolar I Disorder

According to the Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation, patients with bipolar I disorder have more mania symptoms than depression symptoms. Mania symptoms include euphoria, hallucinations, grandiosity, psychosis, racing thoughts, increasingly talkative, irritability, easily distracted, poor judgment and a decreased need for sleep. Bipolar I disorder patients have an elevated mood and three additional symptoms of mania, or an irritable mood and four additional symptoms of mania.

Bipolar II Disorder

Patients with bipolar II disorder have more depression symptoms than mania symptoms. Depression symptoms include appetite changes, thoughts of death and suicide, inactivity, sleep problems, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and feelings of hopelessness and guilt. Bipolar II disorder patients have recurrent periods of depression, with episodes of either normal or hypomania mood. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, hypomania is categorized as a lesser form of mania.

Bipolar Disorder NOS

Bipolar disorder NOS, or bipolar disorder not otherwise specified, does not fit into the category of either bipolar I disorder or bipolar II disorder. Patients with bipolar disorder NOS have severe mood swings that cause serious impairment in the patient's life; however, it is not clear which form of bipolar disorder is emerging.

Cyclothymia

Cyclothymia is a lesser form of bipolar disorder, where patients have impairing mood swings that are less severe. Cyclothymia may progress into bipolar I disorder or bipolar II disorder.

Treatment

Patients with bipolar disorder can choose from therapy and medication as treatment options. Psychotherapy helps patients work through the negative thoughts that occur with depression, and control manic urges. In addition, patients can choose from three different types of medication: mood stabilizers, atypical antipsychotics. Lithium, a type of mood stabilizer, is effective in managing manic symptoms. However, the National Institute of Mental Health warns that bipolar disorder patients should not take antidepressants alone as a form of treatment. When not combined with a mood stabilizer or atypical antipsychotics, patients can cycle rapidly from depression to mania.