Bipolar Disorder Vs. Paranoid Schizophrenia

Bipolar disorder and paranoid schizophrenia are both long-term mental disorders and have some features in common; however, they are entirely different disorders.

Bipolar Disorder

• Bipolar disorder, which is sometimes referred to as manic depression, is characterized by dramatic and unpredictable mood swings known as mood episodes. Episodes alternate between manic episodes, which are overly happy and energetic, and depressive episodes, which are typically very sad and hopeless periods.

Paranoid Schizophrenia

• According to Schizophrenia.com, paranoid schizophrenia is one of the most common types of schizophrenia. Those with paranoid schizophrenia are likely to experience hallucinations and delusions that they possess superhuman powers, or that they are being monitored and persecuted.

Similarities

• According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the onset of both bipolar disorder and paranoid schizophrenia occurs in early adulthood. Those with either bipolar disorder or paranoid schizophrenia may be prone to anxious and angry behavior.

Cause

• According to the NIH, the causes of bipolar disorder and paranoid schizophrenia are uncertain. Some combination of genetics, brain chemistry, environment and life events may be contributing factors to both disorders.

Treatment

• Symptoms of bipolar disorder and paranoid schizophrenia can be treated by medication and psychotherapy. Antipsychotic drugs may be prescribed for paranoid schizophrenia, while mood-stabilizing drugs and antidepressants tend to be prescribed for bipolar disorder.