Bipolar Disorder
Types:
Bipolar I disorder People with bipolar I disorder have had one or more manic episodes. Most will also have depressive episodes, but you don't need a depressive episode to be diagnosed. Depressive episodes last at least two weeks. For a bipolar I diagnosis, manic episodes must last at least seven days or be severe enough to require hospitalization. People with bipolar I may also have mixed episodes with both manic and depressive symptoms.
Bipolar II disorder: People with bipolar II experience depressive episodes and hypomanic episodes. But they never experience a full manic episode that’s characteristic of bipolar I disorder. While hypomania is less impairing than mania, bipolar II disorder is often more debilitating than bipolar I disorder due to chronic depression being more common in bipolar II.
Symptoms:
Mania
Mania is a condition in which you have a period of abnormally elevated or irritable mood, as well as extreme changes in emotions, thoughts, energy, talkativeness and activity level. This highly energized level of physical and mental activity and behavior is a change from your usual self and is noticeable by others.
Depression
During a depressive episode, you experience a low or depressed mood and/or loss of interest in most activities, as well as many other symptoms of depression, such as:
Tiredness.
Changes in appetite.
Feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness.
Stats:
Bipolar disorder affects approximately 5.7 million adult Americans or about 2.6% of the U.S. population.
The average age of onset is 25 years, but, more rarely, it can start as early as early childhood or as late as in your 40s or 50s.
Females with bipolar disorder may also experience more periods of depression than males.
Information obtained from Cleveland Clinic (2022)
“Bipolar disorder is a lifelong illness. But long-term, ongoing treatment, such as medication and talk therapy, can help manage your symptoms and enable you to live a healthy, purposeful life.”