A substantial source of the disease burden in bipolar disorder is suicide-related. Researchers estimate that between 25% and 60% of individuals with bipolar disorder will attempt suicide at least once in their lives and between 4% and 19% will complete suicide.
Source: NIH National Library of Medicine
TYPES OF BIPOLAR DISORDER
There are three types of bipolar disorder. While they share basic characteristics, each one varies in severity and one type has additional symptoms. Bipolar is often misspelled as bi polar or bi-polar.
The three types of bipolar disorder are:
* Bipolar Disorder Type I
* Bipolar Disorder Type II
* Cyclothymia
Bipolar Disorder Type I
Bipolar disorder type I (or bipolar 1) is characterized by one or more full-blown manic episodes or mixed episodes. Major depressive episodes and/or psychotic breaks are also common in bipolar I.
All or some of the following symptoms may be present during a manic episode:
* A distinctive elevated or irritated mood
* Increased energy
* Decreased need for sleep
* Racing thoughts and/or speech
* Short attention span/easily distracted
* Poor or impaired judgment
* Substance abuse
* Increased aggression
* Uncontrollable urges or impulses
* Delusions of grandeur
* Increased sex drive
A manic state can quickly change from severe anxiety and being easily enraged to euphoria. When moods change very quickly, it is referred to as rapid cycling.
Severe mania may lead to a psychotic episode. Also known as a psychotic break, psychosis involves visual or audible hallucinations. A psychotic break warrants a diagnosis of bipolar I in a person currently diagnosed with bipolar disorder, even if other symptoms are not present. Sometimes a psychotic episode may be the first recognizable sign of the disorder.
Diagnosis involves a detailed analysis of behavioral patterns.
If you have any of these symptoms and believe you could have bipolar disorder, contact your primary care physician or a mental health professional for evaluation.
Bipolar Disorder Type II
Bipolar II (or bipolar 2) differs from bipolar I (bipolar 1) in several ways. Persons with bipolar II have experienced multiple hypomanic episodes and a minimum of one major depressive episode. They have never had a full-blown manic episode or mixed episodes, nor have they experienced psychosis. The presence of any of these symptoms warrants a diagnosis of bipolar I.
The difference between a hypomanic episode and a manic episode is the extent of the mania. Hypomania does not reach the full severity of a manic episode. It typically includes fewer symptoms and generally does not last as long.
Symptoms of a hypomanic episode include:
* Inflated self-esteem
* Decreased need for sleep
* More talkative than usual
* Racing thoughts
* Easily distracted
* Increased energy
* Excessive destructive behaviors (excessive spending, increased sexual encounters, substance abuse)
A hypomanic episode may be viewed as a period of increased productivity. A person may appear to be giddy or easily amused and may experience an increase in productivity, energy, and creativity. Because of this, many people do not report any symptoms until they experience a major depressive episode. This makes it very difficult to diagnose bipolar II and many patients are often initially misdiagnosed with depression.
Diagnosis involves a detailed analysis of behavioral patterns.
If you have any of these symptoms and believe you could have bipolar disorder, contact your primary care physician or a mental health professional for evaluation. If you are diagnosed with bipolar II and your symptoms become worse and/or you experience a psychotic episode, contact your doctor immediately for re-evaluation.
Cyclothymia
Bipolar I and bipolar II are the most common forms of bipolar disorder. Most people have never heard of cyclothymia.
Cyclothymia, also called cyclothymic disorder, is similar to bipolar II but symptoms are milder. This is a rare mood disorder. Recurring episodes of mild hypomania and/or depression are symptoms of cyclothymia. Persistent unstable moods and periods of mild depression and mild elation may also be present.
If you have been diagnosed with cyclothymia, this means some features of bipolar disorder are present but are not severe enough for a diagnosis of bipolar disorder type I or II, or symptoms may be severe enough but have not persisted for an extended period of time. The criteria for a diagnosis of another form of bipolar disorder (bipolar I or bipolar II) have not yet been met. It is likely that someone diagnosed with cyclothymia will ultimately be diagnosed with either bipolar I or bipolar II.
Cyclothymia is not associated with manic episodes (mania), major depressive episodes, or psychotic episodes. If you have been diagnosed with cyclothymia and you experience any of these symptoms, contact your doctor right away. This will warrant the diagnosis of another form of bipolar disorder and re-evaluation of treatment.
Diagnosis involves a detailed analysis of behavioral patterns.
If you have any of these symptoms and believe you could have bipolar disorder, contact your primary care physician or a mental health professional for evaluation. If you are diagnosed with any form of bipolar disorder and your symptoms become worse and/or you experience a psychotic episode, contact your doctor immediately for re-evaluation.
Psychosis: A Disturbing Symptom
Psychosis is defined as a loss of contact with reality. Psychosis or a psychotic episode is associated with bipolar I.
A psychotic episode can have one or more of the following symptoms:
* Hallucinations
* Delusions
* Thought disorder
* Lack of insight
There is some confusion concerning what constitutes a hallucination. It is commonly believed it just means a person is seeing things that aren’t there but that is hardly the case. A hallucination can involve any of the five senses. A person can imagine a smell, taste, or touch in addition to seeing or hearing things that do not exist. Hallucinations can vary in severity and may range from such things as smelling flowers to seeing a person holding flowers and even hearing them walk toward you and feeling them place the flowers in your hand. Audible hallucinations can range from hearing a mumbling that you don’t understand to having a conversation with a voice.
Psychosis may involve paranoia or delusions. It’s quite common for a psychotic person to feel like the world is out to get them.
Thought disorder appears in speech and writing. It can become so severe that spoken or written words might make no sense at all.
A lack of insight is when a person has no idea that they are hallucinating or delusional. At this stage, a person is disconnected from reality. They are incapable of distinguishing between what is real and what is not.
I personally have had hallucinations that were pleasant, such as smelling my favorite food, and some that were terrifying, such as seeing myself jump off a bridge and being able to feel when I hit the water.
If you have any of these symptoms, contact your primary care physician or a mental health professional immediately for evaluation. If you are diagnosed with any form of bipolar disorder and your symptoms become worse and/or you experience a psychotic episode, contact your doctor immediately for re-evaluation.
