Bipolar Disorder

What Is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar Disorder was formerly known as manic-depression. It is a serious, yet treatable, mental illness that can affect a person’s mood, thoughts, energy, feelings, and overall functioning. People with bipolar disorder experience dramatic shifts in mood; they can swing between extremes of energy, clarity, and happiness to fatigue, confusion, and sadness.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately 2.8% of U.S. adults have bipolar disorder, with a prevalence of 2.9% for males and 2.8% for females. Among adolescents, approximately 2.9% has been shown to have bipolar disorder with 2.6% suffering from a severe impairment. Bipolar disorder is more prevalent in teenage girls (3.3%) compared to teenage boys (2.6%).

Types of Bipolar Disorder

The different types of bipolar disorder are:

• Bipolar I Disorder. Bipolar I is characterized by dramatic mood swings from mania to depression, and vice versa. During a manic episode, people with Bipolar I Disorder may feel extremely happy and “on top of the world”. On the other hand, during a depressive episode, they may feel extreme hopelessness and sadness.

  • Manic Episode. A period of at least one week where a person is experiencing extreme happiness and energy. They experience at least three of the following: exaggerated self-esteem, talking more than usual, less need for sleep, quickly changing topics/ideas, and increased risky behaviors (i.e. spending sprees, reckless driving).
  • Hypomanic Episode. Similar to a manic episode; however, the symptoms are less severe and may only last four days in a row. Hypomanic episodes allow a person to continue functioning and it doesn’t lead to major problems unlike during a manic episode.
  • Major Depressive Episode. A period of two weeks wherein a person experiences at least five of the following: intense sadness and helplessness, loss of interest in previous hobbies and activities, sleep problems (too much or too little), changes in appetite (increase or decrease), loss of energy, and frequent thoughts of death or suicide.
• Bipolar II Disorder. People with Bipolar II Disorder experience at least one hypomanic episode and one major depressive episode, with possible periods of level moods and normal functioning in-between. The “high” experienced in Bipolar II (hypomanias) are not as high as those experienced by people with Bipolar I (manias).
• Cyclothymic Disorder. Cyclothymic Disorder is a milder form of bipolar disorder and is less severe than Bipolar I or II. It is characterized by numerous hypomanic episodes and less severe depressive episodes that alternate for at least two years. The severity of cyclothymic disorder can change over time.
• Rapid Cycling. Rapid Cycling Bipolar Disorder is a severe form of the disease characterized by mood swings that happen fast and frequently. This is diagnosed when a person experiences four or more hypomanic, manic, or depressive episodes within a 12-month period. Note: Episodes must last for a specific number of days to be distinct episodes. For instance, some people experience drastic changes in mood from low to high or vice versa within a single week, or even a single day!

Treatment

Treatments for bipolar disorder may include medications and psychotherapy. A number of medications are used to treat bipolar disorder, including mood stabilizers, antidepressants, anti-anxiety, and antipsychotics (doses and types of medications prescribed may differ depending on your unique symptoms).