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Bipolar disorder is a mood condition that dysregulates an individual's mood, energy, activity levels, and concentration. When extreme shifts in these moods are occurring, it can feel difficult to accomplish everyday tasks. Medical professionals agree that there are three main types, though type I and type II are most diagnosed. According to Medical News Today, “in the United States, about 4.4 percent (5.5 million) of adults experience bipolar disorder at some point. People with bipolar disorder tend to have moods marked by highs and lows, or periods of mania and depression and the duration and intensity of these episodes helps determine which subtype of bipolar disorder a person has.”
Bipolar I Disorder
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, a diagnosis of Bipolar I results from “manic episodes that last for at least 7 days (nearly every day for most of the day) or by manic symptoms that are so severe that the person needs immediate medical care.” Though depression can often occur, usually lasting about two weeks, this type of bipolar disorder is not defined by its depressive episodes. "Episodes of depression with mixed features (having depressive symptoms and manic symptoms at the same time) are also possible."
According to the American Psychiatric Association and the DSM-5, people must meet the following conditions to be diagnosed:
A person must experience a manic episode. Manic episodes are defined as a period of at least one week when a person is extremely high-spirited or irritable most of the day for most days, possesses more energy than usual, and experiences at least three of the following changes in behavior:
- Decreased need for sleep (e.g., feeling energetic despite significantly less sleep than usual.
- Increased or faster speech.
- Uncontrollable racing thoughts or quickly changing ideas or topics when speaking.
- Distractibility.
- Increased activity (e.g., restlessness, working on several projects at once).
- Increased risky or impulsive behavior (e.g., reckless driving, spending sprees, sexual promiscuity).
“These behaviors must represent a change from the person’s usual behavior and be clear to friends and family. Symptoms must be severe enough to cause dysfunction in work, family, or social activities and responsibilities. Symptoms of a manic episode commonly require hospital care to ensure safety. During severe manic episodes, some people also experience disorganized thinking, false beliefs, and/or hallucinations, known as psychotic features.”
Bipolar II Disorder
Bipolar II is marked by a series of depressive episodes paired with hypomania, a less severe form of mania. As compared to Bipolar I disorder, Bipolar II does not experience the same “heightened states.” Treatments include psychotherapy, medication, and self-care strategies.
Cyclothymic Disorder
Cyclothymic disorder is a milder form of bipolar disorder involving many "mood swings," with hypomania and depressive symptoms that occur regularly. People with cyclothymia experience mood destabilization but with less severe symptoms than bipolar I or II disorder.
According to the American Psychiatric Association, cyclothymic disorder symptoms include the following:
- For at least two years, many periods of hypomanic and depressive symptoms, but the symptoms do not meet the criteria for hypomanic or depressive episodes.
- During the two-year period, the symptoms (mood swings) have lasted for at least half the time and have never stopped for more than two months.
People with bipolar disorder struggle regularly with the unpredictable and confusing features of this complex mood disorder. According to the American Psychiatric Association “there is still no known cause of the disorder, despite ongoing research. Some factors associated with bipolar disorder include a family history or other mental illness, unique brain structure features, highly stressful events, brain chemistry imbalance that affects mood regulation, and a history of abuse or trauma.”
It should be noted that bipolar disorder is considered a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Also, when treated, people with bipolar disorder can lead full and productive lives. If you are struggling, do not wait to seek professional help.