Types of Bipolar

Most people do not know that there are four types of bipolar disorder. While they may share the same basic characteristics, each one varies in severity and one type has additional symptoms. Bipolar is often commonly misspelled as bi polar or bi-polar.

The four types of bipolar disorder are:
* Bipolar I
* Bipolar II
* Cyclothymia
* Bipolar NOS

Bipolar I

Bipolar I (or bipolar 1) is one of the most severe forms of mental illness and has an almost 15% risk of death by suicide. (Internet Mental Health, http://www.mentalhealth.com/dis/p20-md02.html) It is characterized by one or more full blown manic episodes or mixed episodes. Major depressive episodes and/ or psychotic episodes 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.

At this time, there isn’t a test for bipolar disorder. A diagnosis involves a detailed analysis of behavioral patterns.

If you have any of these symptoms and believe you could have bipolar disorder, please contact your primary care physician or a mental health professional for evaluation.

Bipolar 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 dictates 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.

The 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.

At this time, there isn’t a test for bipolar disorder. A diagnosis involves a detailed analysis of behavioral patterns.

If you have any of these symptoms and believe you could have bipolar disorder, please 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 and Bipolar NOS

Bipolar I and Bipolar II are the most common forms of bipolar disorder. However, the majority of people have never heard of Cyclothymia or Bipolar NOS.

Cyclothymia is similar to Bipolar II, but the symptoms are somewhat milder. 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 that some of the features of bipolar disorder are present but they are not yet severe enough or they 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 may eventually 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 reevaluation of treatment.

Bipolar NOS (Bipolar Disorder Not Otherwise Specified) is a term used to describe patients who suffer from a form of Bipolar Disorder but do not exactly fit into any of the other categories. This could be the case if someone has symptoms that fit in several categories or for people who do not yet have enough symptoms required to be diagnosed in a more specific category of Bipolar Disorder. It is often used as a catch-all and as an initial diagnosis.

At this time, there isn’t a test for bipolar disorder. A diagnosis involves a detailed analysis of behavioral patterns.

If you have any of these symptoms and believe you could have bipolar disorder, please 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 of Bipolar Disorder

Psychosis is defined as a loss of contact with reality. Persons suffering from psychosis are said to be psychotic. You may also hear it referred to as having a psychotic break. 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 that 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 towards 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, please 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.