|  | Mental Health | Bipolar Disorder

Levels of Bipolar

Bipolar disorder, sometimes called manic depression, involves episodes of mania alternating with episodes of depression. The swings between the highs and the lows can be very abrupt and extreme.

  1. Bipolar I Disorder

    • Patients diagnosed with bipolar I disorder experience periods of severe depression and full-blown mania. Manic symptoms include inflated self-esteem, hyperactivity, racing thoughts and reckless behavior.

    Bipolar II Disorder

    • Individuals with bipolar II disorder have episodes of severe depression and hypomania, which is a milder type of mania. Hypomanic individuals might seem easily distracted, irritated and agitated.

    Cyclothymia

    • Cyclothymia is the most mild of the bipolar disorders. Patients suffer from cyclical mood swings of hypomania and mild depression.

    Other Bipolar Disorders

    • Rapid cycling bipolar disorder involves at least four mood swings within one year. Patients with mixed state bipolar disorder suffer manic and depressive symptoms at the same time.

    Considerations

    • While bipolar I disorder affects about the same number of males and females, bipolar II disorder is more common in females. Bipolar disorders usually begin when patients are between 15 and 30 years old.

Bipolar Disorder - Related Articles