The Different Types of Bipolar Diseases

March 5th, 2009 Posted in Anxiety and Depression

Bipolar disorder is also called bipolar mood disorder, manic-depressive illness, manic depression, bipolar affective disorder, bipolar affective disorder and manic-depressive disorder. People with bipolar disorder experience unusual shifting of energy, mood, behavior and the ability to function normally. These mood swings are from high periods of mania to low episodes of depression. The disorder can be either mild or severe and the mood swings can be frequent or infrequent.  Depending on the symptoms manifested by the person affected, bipolar diseases can be diagnosed according to its different types such as bipolar disorder 1, bipolar disorder 2, cyclothymic disorder and bipolar disorder not otherwise specified.

Type 1: Bipolar Disorder 1

People who suffer from this type of disorder often experience both bipolar mania and depression. Bipolar 1 disorder is more commonly known as bipolar disorder 1. Bipolar 1 disorder differs from bipolar disorder 2 in terms of the duration and severity of the symptoms. The duration of the symptoms in bipolar 1 disorder can last anywhere from weeks to a couple of months.

# 2 Bipolar Disorder 2

Periods of severe depression occasionally accompanied by episodes of mild mania known as hypomania is what is experienced by people with this type of disorder. Even though there are no delusions experienced with bipolar disorder 2, mental functioning is still impaired.

Type 3: Cyclothymic Disorder

People with cyclothymic bipolar disorder experience alternate attacks of mild depression and hypomania.  It lasts longer than the bipolar disorders 1 and 2 with no break in the manifestation of symptoms but is not as severe.  

Bipolar Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (NOS)

Any of the symptoms that don’t meet any of the categories of bipolar disorder would fall under this type of disorder. These include recurrent episodes of hypomanic phase without depression, rapid alternation between depressive symptoms and manic symptoms, and hypomanic episodes that are associated with chronic depression.

Bipolar disorder 1 is the most severe of all the types of bipolar disorders. It will possibly have a high frequency of recurrence if left untreated. This type has an estimated 15% death risk by suicide rate. It also considered as third on the list of leading causes of death among people aged fifteen to twenty-four years old.

The symptoms of Bipolar Disorder 1

Bipolar 1 involves both the manic and depression phases. Therefore the symptoms are the usual ones like unusual happiness and sadness, change in eating and sleeping patterns, grandiose delusions, pressured speech and suicidal attempts. 

Bipolar 1 Treatments

Some of the more commonly used medications in the treatment of bipolar 1 include mood stabilizers, antidepressants and antipsychotics. Anxiety, insomnia and restlessness can also be managed by other prescribed medications. In some cases, psychotherapy is also a choice of treatment.

Being diagnosed with a bipolar disorder and in particular bipolar 1 disorder, should not be taken for granted as non-treatment could mean the difference between life and death due to suicide. Once symptoms are evident, immediate treatment should be sought.