According to the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately 26 million Americans ages 18 and over suffer from some type of mood disorder each year. Of these 26 million, more than 5 million are cases of bipolar disorder. While debilitating, treatment is available to ease its symptoms, allowing those diagnosed to function normally. However the key to treatment is knowing the type of bipolar disorder you're working with.
Bipolar I
Bipolar I is considered the most severe type of bipolar disorder and to be diagnosed, a person must display symptoms of either mania or mixed mood episodes which last for at least one week (seven days). A mixed episode causes the person to experience symptoms of both mania and depression at the same time. The National Institute of Mental Health states that the manic or mixed episodes are usually accompanied by depressive episodes which last for a period of two weeks. These symptoms must severely alter your normal behavior and be so severe that immediate hospitalization is required.
Common symptoms of mania include talking rapidly, high levels of energy, moving quickly and an increase in sex drive which leads to sexual promiscuity. Pendulum.org states that 75 percent of those in a manic state suffer from delusions.
Conversely, when a depressive episode begins, the person typically has low energy levels and sleeps frequently. He feels worthless and hopeless, and his sex drive decreases. He may experience thoughts of suicide or display suicidal behavior. According to HelpGuide,org, if he is experiencing a mixed episode, his risk of committing suicide is the highest due to high energy levels and low moods.
Bipolar II
Bipolar II is when hypomania is introduced. Hypomania episodes are a less severe form of manic episodes. While the symptoms of hypomania are similar to the symptoms of mania, they typically do not interfere with a person's life or ability to function.
To be diagnosed with bipolar II, a person must display a pattern of depressive episodes that cycle with episodes of hypomania. The episodes of hypomania do not develop into a full-blown manic episode, nor does the cycling result in a full-blown mixed episode with the symptoms described above.
Cyclothymic Disorder
Those diagnosed with cyclothymic disorder are considered to have a more mild form of bipolar, and experience periods of cycling between hypomania and depression for a minimum of two years, making it a chronic problem. These episodes do not occur with any regularity, as they do with bipolar II. While the symptoms are that of hypomania and depression, the diagnostic requirements are not those of any other type of bipolar; they are less severe and last for a shorter period of time. For this reason, people with these types of symptoms are diagnosed with cyclothymic disorder.
Bipolar Disorder Not Otherwise Specified
A person with this type of bipolar disorder may demonstrate symptoms that are obviously not his normal behavior. He may show symptoms of either mania or depression; however, his symptoms may not be as severe or last long enough to meet the diagnostic criteria for the above types. This form is still considered a bipolar disorder and is treated as such.
