The Various Bipolar Disease Types

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The Various Bipolar Disease Types

Monday, January 26th, 2009 Subscribe To Our Feed

Bipolar disorder can also be known as manic-depressive illness, bipolar mood disorder, bipolar affective disorder, manic depression and manic-depressive disorder. Those who suffer from bipolar disorder experience unusual shifts in energy, behavior, mood and the ability to function normally. These swings in mood range from high periods of mania to low episodes of depression. The mood swings can be frequent or infrequent with the disorder being either mild or severe. Bipolar diseases can be diagnosed into its different types depending on the type of symptoms that the person affected is showing. These types include bipolar disorder 1, bipolar disorder 2, cyclothymic disorder and bipolar disorder not otherwise specified.

Bipolar 1 Disorder

People who suffer from this type of disorder often experience both bipolar mania and depression. Bipolar 1 disorder is more commonly known as bipolar disorder 1. Bipolar 1 disorder differs from bipolar disorder 2 in terms of the duration and severity of the symptoms. The duration of the symptoms in bipolar 1 disorder can last anywhere from weeks to a couple of months.

# 2 Bipolar Disorder 2

People who suffer from bipolar disorder 2 often experience severe depression along with periods of mild mania known as hypomania. There are no delusions experienced with this type of disorder but mental functionality is still impaired.

Type 3: Cyclothymic Disorder

People with cyclothymic bipolar disorder experience alternate attacks of mild depression and hypomania. It lasts longer than the bipolar disorders 1 and 2 with no break in the manifestation of symptoms but is not as severe.

Bipolar Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (NOS)

Any of the symptoms that don’t meet any of the categories of bipolar disorder would fall under this type of disorder. These include recurrent episodes of hypomanic phase without depression, rapid alternation between depressive symptoms and manic symptoms, and hypomanic episodes that are associated with chronic depression.

Bipolar disorder 1 is the most severe of all the types of bipolar disorders. It will possibly have a high frequency of recurrence if left untreated. This type has an estimated 15% death risk by suicide rate. It also considered as third on the list of leading causes of death among people aged fifteen to twenty-four years old.

Bipolar 1 Symptoms

Both manic and depression phases is experienced with bipolar 1 disorder and the usual symptoms like unusual happiness and sadness ,grandiose delusions, pressured speech, change in eating and sleeping patterns and suicidal attempts can also be expected.

How to Teat Bipolar 1 Disorder

Some of the more commonly used medications in the treatment of bipolar 1 include mood stabilizers, antidepressants and antipsychotics. Anxiety, insomnia and restlessness can also be managed by other prescribed medications. In some cases, psychotherapy is also a choice of treatment.

Having a bipolar disorder, especially bipolar 1 disorder is something that should not be taken for granted since it can really lead to death due to suicide if left untreated. Prompt treatment should be sought once the symptoms occur.

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