Jennifer B. answered • 01/11/21
Highly Skilled Elementary Teacher With Masters in Linguistics
First let me start by saying I'm not a doctor. The following is generalized summary based upon the DSM-5 diagnosis for Bipolar Disorder. Please seek medical advice for a proper diagnosis.
Bipolar disorder, which was formerly known as manic depression, is a serious mood disorder that is characterized by an alternating pattern of emotional highs, or mania, and lows, or depression. And while the mania and depression usually occur separately, bipolar disorder occasionally involves mixed state episodes in which both symptoms are present.
The mood swings that are associated with bipolar disorder can occur very quickly and seemingly without cause, and the intensity of both the mania and depression can vary from mild to severe. Both the highs and lows of bipolar disorder represent significant differences from the afflicted individual’s usual personality.
There are three primary types of bipolar disorder:
Bipolar I: When an individual suffers from bipolar I, he or she will experience extreme manic and depressive episodes of varying lengths and severity.
Bipolar II: Individuals with this type of bipolar disorder will experience depressive episodes similar to those that characterize bipolar I, but their manic episodes will not be as severe. The manic episodes of bipolar II are often referred to as hypomanic episodes.
Cyclothymia (also referred to as cyclothymic disorder): This is a less severe form of bipolar disorder, in which both the manic and depressive episodes are milder than are those experienced by individuals with bipolar I or II, but have occurred for at least two years.
It is important to understand that the manic and depressive episodes that are symptomatic of bipolar disorder are much more severe and problematic than are the simple ups and downs that most people experience in the course of their lives.
