The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance states that bipolar disorder is the sixth leading cause of disability in the world, affecting more than 5 million adult Americans each year. Because of this, it is listed as an impairment in the Social security Administration's impairment listing manual. Those who are diagnosed with bipolar may be able to win Social Security benefits due to this disability. First it is necessary to know what symptoms are considered debilitating to be successful.
Types of Bipolar Disorders
Before the symptoms of bipolar disorder can be recognized, it must first be understood how they affect the diagnosis of this condition and how this diagnosis affects a disability claim.
Four main types of bipolar disorder exist: Bipolar I, bipolar II, cyclothymic disorder and bipolar disorder not otherwise specified. To be diagnosed with bipolar I, a patient must experience one or more manic or mixed episode almost every day for one week, along with one or more major depressive episodes.
A bipolar II diagnosis requires one or more major depressive episodes that is accompanied by a hypomania episode (a less severe form of mania).
Cylothymic is diagnosed when moods fluctuate between hypomania and depression. The episodes are not regular, not as severe and are shorter in length when they do occur.
Finally, bipolar not otherwise specified is given as a diagnosis when a patient experiences any of the previously mentioned types of bipolar; at certain times she may display moments of mania, while other times it may be moments of depression. There is no rhyme or reason, which means it does not fit into any of the above-mentioned classifications.
Symptoms of Mania
Manic episodes are what clearly marks bipolar I, making it the most severe type of this condition, according to the Healthy Place website. It produces high energy symptoms, feelings of euphoria and hyperactivity. Those experiencing a manic episode often feel invincible and do not make safe or sound decisions. This leads to reckless behavior like sexual promiscuity and irresponsible spending of their money. In addition to the euphoria, manic episodes also produces feelings of irritability and aggressiveness that leads to fighting and inexplicable anger. Toward the end of the episode, it is common for patients to become delusional, resulting in the need for hospitalization.
Symptoms of Depression
Symptoms of depression are evident in both bipolar I and II. In some cases, those with bipolar I will experience manic and depressive episodes simultaneously in what is known as a mixed episode.
The most common symptoms of depression include a deep sadness, hopelessness and feelings of guilt. Rather than high energy, patients will have little or no energy and move very slowly, if at all. In most cases, he will sleep more than he will be awake. He will experience changes in his appetite, which can result in weight changes, according to HelpGuide. He may also experience thoughts of suicide as the episode comes to an end.
Symptoms of Hypomania
Hypomania, though less severe than a full-blown manic episode, can actually be more dangerous to a certain degree. Hypomania is more like a good mood for patients who experience this type of episode; it doesn't cause the extreme euphoric sensation of a manic episode, therefore patients have a tendency to stop taking their medications to achieve this feeling. Unfortunately this only makes it more difficult to regain control over her moods once she begins her medication again.
For some patients, hypomania episodes are problematic enough to interfere with daily life, and for others it poses no problem at all. These episodes will often lead to a full-blown manic episode at some point according to HelpGuide.
Symptoms of a Mixed Episode
A mixed episode is just as it sounds--it is the absolute worst symptoms of both a manic and depressive episode combined, or a depressive and hypomania episode combined. Most times, patients experiencing a mixed episode, such as those with bipolar I, will experience the agitation and irritability produced by mania along with the sadness and low energy brought on by depression. The result is a high-risk situation for a suicide attempt.
