According to diagnostic interview data from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication, 4.4% of Americans are thought to suffer from bipolar illness at some point in their lives.
A diagnosis of bipolar disorder can bring with it a considerable stigma. People may question your sanity and assume you’ll only ever be ‘up and down,’ switching between symptoms.
There are different types of bipolar disorder, and each style has particular symptoms, causes, and treatment. Once you learn about its differences, it can help you pick the best form of treatment.
Read on to learn about the different types of bipolar disorder.
Bipolar 1
Bipolar 1 is an extreme shift in mood, energy, and activity. Patients often experience manic episodes, elevated moods, and energy that can last for days, even weeks. You can follow it with a crashing period, where they may feel significant and profound sadness.
They might also experience bipolar symptoms of psychosis, such as hallucinations or delusions. Treatment often includes a combination of medication and therapy. It is essential to understand that this is a severe mental illness, and patients should ensure that their treatment is effective.
Bipolar 2
Bipolar 2 is an episode of hypomania and depression and rarely psychotic symptoms. Hypomania consists of an expansive mood, racing thoughts, distractibility, and increased energy.
Depressive episodes occurring between episodes of hypomania are like those of major depression. It is often misdiagnosed as major depression since the manic episodes are not as severe as bipolar 1. Bipolar two is typically diagnosed in adults but can sometimes be in children and adolescents.
Unspecified Bipolar Disorder
This type of bipolar disorder is not specific enough to be diagnosed accurately. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and include episodes of mania and depression that can overlap in severity.
People with this condition can also experience periods of well-being with ongoing distress. Symptoms can vary from person to person with no exact set pattern. It can be challenging to diagnose and respond effectively.
It is most often treated with a combination of medication and therapy. Although this can be challenging to manage, read more about bipolar disorder for a productive and healthy life with proper support.
Cyclothymic Disorder
Mood swings, cycling between mild highs and lows, characterize cyclothymic Disorder. For most people, the highs are not quite at the level of mania, and the lows are more of a low mood than the extreme lows of depression.
During the highs, people may experience increased creativity, activity levels, energy, and impulsiveness. They may also take risks they wouldn’t take. During the lows, the person may feel down and discouraged, have trouble sleeping, and experience a lack of energy.
People with this disorder often have an underlying mood disturbance. Treatment includes both medications and therapy to help from getting worse.
Understand the Types of Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that affects millions of people worldwide. It can come in many forms, and recognizing your symptoms can help you find the proper treatment. If you feel that you are experiencing the types of bipolar disorder, seek professional help right away.
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