Bipolar disorder, formerly called manic-depression, is a disease of the mind probably caused by a chemical imbalance that affects moods. The patient suffers from mild to severe depression and mania interspersed with periods of normalcy. The severity and frequency of episodes vary widely from one person to another. Those who study this disorder categorize each type of bipolar disorder according to severity and frequency of the episodes.

Bipolar I Disorder

Bipolar I Disorder is the most serious type of bipolar disorder. Manic episodes can be severe to the point of psychotic or schizophrenic symptoms including hallucinations and voices. A sign of this type of bipolar disorder is one or more serious manic episodes and one or more serious depressive episodes. This type of bipolar disorder may also include mixed episodes described as having both manic and depressive symptoms every day for at least a week.

Bipolar II Disorder

While disruptive, bipolar II disorder is less severe than bipolar I disorder. To fit this type of bipolar disorder, a patient must exhibit one or more episodes of depression and at least one hypomanic episode. Hypomania presents symptoms similar to mania but is less severe. The hypomanic episode must clearly be different from a patient’s normal state to lead to a diagnosis.

One danger of this type of bipolar disorder is misdiagnosis. Often, with bipolar II disorder, the patient’s life is disrupted by depression while the hypomanic episodes are easily handled and don’t appear to be a symptom of a disease. Seven of ten patients with this type of bipolar disorder are diagnosed and treated for depression only before their true disorder is recognized.

Signs of hypomania include several days of an especially energetic or irritable mood, unusual confidence, less need for sleep, being more talkative than usual, having rapid thoughts, having trouble concentrating, being more goal-oriented, engaging in high-risk activities, and being noticeably not like oneself.

Cyclothymic Disorder

With cyclothymic disorder, the episodes of hypomania and depression are shorter, less severe and less regular than with a more severe type of bipolar disorder. The mood swings fluctuate chronically and are often severe enough to interfere with the patient’s life. Many people with this type of bipolar disorder later develop a more severe type.

Bipolar Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (NOS)

Because of the wide differences in symptoms and severity, many people can have a type of bipolar disorder that doesn’t fit into the defined groups. These people are grouped under the NOS banner.

Even when a patient fits into a clearly defined type of bipolar disorder, his or her symptoms can be very individualized. It is always important to tell the doctor about all possible symptoms as well as any problems with treatment.

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