Many clients and their families are surprised to learn that bipolar disorder has two different types of diagnoses — bipolar I and bipolar II. When someone with bipolar disorder experiences at least one major depressive episode and one manic episode, they meet the criteria for bipolar I disorder. When someone with bipolar disorder experiences a major depressive episode that lasts for more than two weeks and is combined with a hypomanic episode, they meet the criteria for bipolar II disorder.
Determining the Different Types of Bipolar Disorder
The length and severity of both manic and depressive episodes will vary for both types of bipolar disorder. A person could even show signs of both episodes during a 24-hour period. The key to recognizing the symptoms of bipolar disorder is understanding which symptoms are seen during a depressive episode and which symptoms are seen during a manic episode.
Depressive Symptoms
Some of the most common depressive symptoms include:
- Displays many of the same symptoms as depression
- Strong feelings of sadness or hopelessness
- Loss of interest in hobbies and activities
- Openly discusses thoughts of death or suicide
- Agitated or angry around others
- Lower energy levels than usual and spends more time sleeping
Manic Symptoms
Some of the most common manic symptoms include:
- Irregular thoughts that frequently change or faster speaking than usual
- Takes on additional tasks such as extra chores or projects at work
- Irregular sleeping patterns — during a manic state, an individual tends to sleep fewer hours
- Displays longer periods of happiness and outgoingness than usual
- Easily distracted by other people, television, etc.
- Displays high levels of endurance and restlessness
- Sets unattainable goals
The Difference Between Mania and Hypomania
The difference between mania and hypomania is the severity of the displayed symptoms. A manic episode is characterized by an impairment in daily functioning and relationships with others and can often require hospitalization. During a hypomanic episode, on the other hand, an individual won’t display characteristics of impairment but will display many of the same symptoms.
What Causes Bipolar Disorder?
The exact cause of bipolar disorder could be a combination of chemical imbalances in the brain, genetics, family history, and substance abuse. In some cases, experiencing traumatic events could trigger the disorder. Like most psychiatric disorders, the most effective treatment for bipolar disorder is a combination of medication and psychotherapy. The types of medications prescribed most often for individuals with bipolar disorder include lithium, mood stabilizers, anticonvulsants, and antidepressants. The frequent variety of moods requires a variety of different medications to help control symptoms.
What Does Bipolar Disorder Treatment Look Like?
The most effective and appropriate types of psychotherapy for an individual with bipolar disorder include cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and interpersonal therapy. These types of talk therapy strive to help individuals identify patterns and behaviors that lead to frequent changes in mood, focus on stress-reducing behaviors, improve their relationships, and better regulate their emotions.
Help Is Just a Call Away
At Pasadena Villa, we provide treatment for bipolar disorder in therapeutic environments that promote well-being, recovery, and personal motivation. Multiple levels of care are available at each of our Pasadena Villa psychiatric treatment centers, each providing the highest levels of care and support and the closest amount of supervision needed.
We also have psychiatric treatment centers dedicated to outpatient programming. For more information about our outpatient locations, click here.
To learn more about bipolar disorder treatment at Pasadena Villa, please call us or fill out our contact form, and an admissions specialist will be happy to help you.
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