What does disorder bipolar nos 296.80 mean?

Disorder bipolar nos 296.80 means bipolar disorder not otherwise specified (NOS). This is a diagnosis that is given to someone who has symptoms of bipolar disorder, but does not meet the full criteria for either bipolar I or bipolar II disorder.

Symptoms of bipolar disorder:

* Periods of mania or hypomania (elevated mood or activity) alternating with periods of depression (low mood or activity)

* Changes in energy levels

* Changes in sleep patterns

* Changes in appetite

* Increased or decreased sex drive

* Impulsivity

* Poor judgment

* Racing thoughts

* Delusions (false beliefs)

* Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there)

Criteria for bipolar I disorder:

* At least one manic or mixed episode

* No current major depressive episode (or only brief depressive episodes lasting less than 2 weeks)

* Symptoms are not caused by a substance or medical condition

Criteria for bipolar II disorder:

* At least one major depressive episode

* At least one hypomanic episode

* No history of full-blown mania or mixed episodes

* Symptoms are not caused by a substance or medical condition

Bipolar disorder NOS is diagnosed when someone has symptoms of bipolar disorder, but does not meet the full criteria for either bipolar I or bipolar II disorder. This may be because the person is experiencing less severe symptoms, or because their symptoms do not fit neatly into the criteria for either bipolar I or bipolar II disorder.

Bipolar disorder NOS is a serious mental illness that can have a significant impact on a person's life. There are effective treatments available, and people with bipolar disorder NOS can live full and productive lives.