Bipolar Disorders

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If you’re in a bad mood, chances are your spirits can be easily lifted by something as simple as watching a funny movie, hearing a child’s giggle or going for a walk in the sunshine. Mood episodes associated with bipolar disorders, however, will not dissipate so quickly. Of course, your mood will eventually return to normal, but the extreme ups and downs of bipolar disorders will return. And in the meantime, the mood swings can disrupt your life.

There are three types of bipolar disorder, and it’s crucial to get a professional diagnosis to receive proper treatment. Bipolar disorders are classified as: Bipolar I, Bipolar II and Cyclothymic. The primary difference among them is in the severity and length of mood episodes.

Bipolar I

The ups and downs of mood episodes are most pronounced in Bipolar I. A manic episode typically lasts for a week and you feel invincible or feel up, energetic, or on top of world. In a manic state, a person sometimes engage in risky behavior, so it’s not unusual for a person to be hospitalized to keep him or her safe.

Bipolar II

What distinguishes Bipolar II from Bipolar I is that the manic episode is less severe (referred to as a hypomanic episode) and doesn’t last as long. Because the depressive episodes in Bipolar II can be more severe than Bipolar I, people often seek help during a depressive rather than a manic episode..

Cyclothymic

If your highs and lows are less severe, but perhaps more frequent, than for Bipolar I or II, you could have cyclothymic disorder. Like the other bipolar disorders, cyclothymic disorder is treatable.

Smoothing the up and downs
To further complicate a diagnosis, Bipolar I is often just one of a possible cluster of disorders, frequently including ADHD, anxiety disorders or substance use. It isn’t advisable to diagnose yourself and then self-medicate. Even with a professional diagnosis, it can take persistence to find the best medication to treat symptoms. And therapy is recommended in addition to medications.