The Various Bipolar Disease Types
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 disorders 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.
# 1 Bipolar Disorder 1
Most people suffering from bipolar disorder 1, sometimes called bipolar 1 disorder, experience both the bipolar mania and depression. This type of bipolar disorder is distinguished from bipolar disorder 2 in terms of the duration and severity of the bipolar manic phase, which could last anywhere from weeks to a couple of months.
Type 2: Bipolar Disorder 2
People with this type of bipolar disorder suffer from periods of severe depression that is occasionally accompanied with episodes of mild mania known as hypo mania. No delusions are experienced in bipolar disorder 2 but there is still impaired mental functioning.
Cyclothymic Disorder
Alternate attacks of hypo mania and mild depression can be experienced by people with this type of disorder. The symptoms of this type of disorder are not as severe as the previously mentioned types of disorders but are longer in duration with no break in the occurrence of symptoms.
# 4 Bipolar Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (NOS)
This type includes those bipolar symptoms and features that don’t meet any of the categories of bipolar disorder, such as very rapid alternation between depressive symptoms and manic symptoms, recurrent episodes of hypo manic phase without depression, and hypo manic episodes that are associated with chronic depression.
Of all the types of bipolar disorders, bipolar 1 disorder is the most severe type. If left untreated, it will possibly have a high rate of recurrence. It has an estimated rate of about 15% death risk by suicide. Also, it is considered as the third leading cause of death among people aged fifteen to twenty-four years old. It tends to run in families and is a lifelong disorder. Aside from being a hereditary disorder, other factors that can cause bipolar disorder 1 are certain illnesses such as hyperthyroidism, brain tumor, and multiple sclerosis, and certain environmental factors such as giving birth, stressful life events, sleep deprivation, stimulants, electroconvulsive therapy, antipsychotic medication and antidepressant medication.
Bipolar 1 Symptoms
Since bipolar 1 disorder involves both the manic and depression phases, the symptoms are just the common ones such as unusual happiness and sadness, grandiose delusions, change in eating and sleep patterns, pressured speech and suicidal attempts.
How to Teat Bipolar 1 Disorder
Some of the more commonly used medications in the treatment of bipolar 1 include mood stabilizers, antidepressants and anti-psychotics. Anxiety, insomnia and restlessness can also be managed by other prescribed medications. In some cases, psychotherapy is also a choice of treatment.
Having Bipolar disorder 1 or any other bipolar disorder for that matter should not be taken lightly since it can be fatal due to suicide if not treated. Treatment should be acquired straight away once symptoms are evident.