Bipolar Disorder

After defining mood and what a manic, hypomanic, and depressive episode are, we are ready to define what Bipolar Disorder is. The diagnostic manual (DSM) distinguishes three main categories:

• Bipolar Disorder I
• Bipolar Disorder II
• Cyclothymic Disorder.
  

Bipolar Disorder I is characterized by having at least one manic episode. Simply put, the individual has experienced a state of elevated euphoria to the extent that it compromised various aspects of their life, making them "dangerous" to themselves and others. The episode may require hospitalization.

Bipolar Disorder II is characterized by having at least one hypomanic episode and one depressive episode, but there has never been a manic episode. In this state, the individual has experienced states of both euphoria and depression. Generally, experiencing euphoria is not a cause for concern; in fact, it's almost enjoyable to be seen as euphoric. On the other hand, the depressive state is a cause for both concern and impairment.

Cyclothymic Disorder is characterized by the presence of numerous periods with hypomanic and depressive symptoms for at least 2 years in adults and 1 year in children and adolescents. In this case, the symptoms are not sufficient to speak of a hypomanic or depressive episode, but they still cause significant distress, and there are no other causes to explain it.

Feeling a bit confused about Cyclothymic Disorder? I understand. We know that having symptoms is different from having a disorder. For example, if we have a stomachache, it's not enough to say we have gastritis; we need to check if there is inflammation in the stomach walls. With Cyclothymic Disorder, there are symptoms of hypomanic and depressive episodes but not enough to confirm that an episode has actually occurred. However, these symptoms have a significant impact on the individual's life and, therefore, warrant clinical attention.

Sources:

- American Psychiatric Association (2013) - Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.).

- Bernhill, J. W. (2014) - DSM-5 Clinical Cases.

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