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DSM IV Criteria for Bipolar Disorder

People often assume they have bipolar disorder if they feel good on some days and bad on others, but that's usually not the case. In order to be diagnosed with bipolar disorder, you must meet certain criteria as outlined in the DSM IV.

  1. What is the DSM IV?

    • The DSM IV is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition. It contains descriptions and diagnostic criteria for every mental health disorder recognized by the American Psychiatric Association.

    Mania

    • Manic symptoms include elevated feelings of self-worth, and feeling almost like you're invincible. You may engage in self-destructive spending, drug or alcohol use or sexual behavior. It may be hard to collect your thoughts and focus on anything, and you may talk non-stop.

    Depression

    • Depressive symptoms include feelings of worthlessness or guilt, pervasive sadness, loss of interest in hobbies and friends, decreased sex drive and suicidal thoughts.

    Negative effects

    • Unlike normal good and bad moods, the highs and lows of bipolar disorder make it difficult to function. Relationships, family life and even your job can be damaged by the extreme moods of bipolar disorder.

    Bipolar I

    • To be diagnosed with bipolar I, you must have had at least one manic episode and suffer from depression.

    Bipolar II

    • With bipolar II, you will have the same depression as in bipolar I, but the manic phases---known as hypomania in bipolar II---aren't as bad as they are in bipolar I and don't cause the negative effects that mania does.

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