BIPOLAR DISORDERS
When an individual suffers from a bipolar disorder- once referred to as manic- depressive illness- they experience extreme mood swings between depression and mania. The symptoms of mania include:
- Feeling irritable
- Being extremely energetic
- Feeling high
- Feeling grandiose and having a very large self-esteem
- Feeling agitated
- Speaking in a fast manner
- Not needing to sleep in doing activities that bring pleasure, even if that means these activities can have harmful consequences
- Being impulsive
- Possibly having paranoia, delusions, and hallucinations
There are several types of bipolar disorder. These include:
Bipolar I Disorder
In bipolar I disorder, manic episodes or manic and depressive episodes last for at least seven days, or an individual will have such a strong manic episode that hospitalization is required. When people suffer from bipolar I disorder, they will generally also have depressive episodes that last for two weeks or longer.
Bipolar II Disorder
This is a milder type of bipolar disorder where episodes of hypomania and depression are not as severe.
Bipolar Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (BP-NOS)
This is when an individual suffers from symptoms of bipolar disorder- exhibiting symptoms that clearly stray from how the individual normally behaves- but does not meet the criteria needed to be diagnosed as having bipolar I or bipolar II. Symptoms in BP-NOS may last for too short an amount of time, or the individual may have too few symptoms.
Cyclothymia
This is a less severe type of bipolar disorder. While a person with cyclothymia will experience the same symptoms of bipolar I disorder, they will never be in a total manic state or have a major depressive episode. In order to be diagnosed as having cyclothymia, an individual must have these symptoms for at least two years.
"Bipolar disorder can be a great teacher. It's a challenge, but it can set you up to be able to do almost anything else in your life." - Carrie Fisher
~Bella
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