Do you feel happy and energetic on some days, but then sad and sluggish on other days? If so, and if your symptoms persist for extended periods of time, making it difficult for you to live your life as you usually would, then you may want to speak with your healthcare provider.
Bipolar disorder is a serious brain and behavioral disorder that’s characterized by severe changes in mood and energy. These changes affect a person’s ability to handle their day-to-day tasks. These changes in behavior, known as "mood episodes,"known as "mood episodes," are defined by the types of symptoms a person is experiencing: manic, depressive, or mixed. These periods of abnormal behavior are drastically different from a person's usual behavior.
People often live with bipolar disorder without having had it properly diagnosed. Please read this website, and explore the various resources it provides explore the various resources it provides. If you suspect you may have bipolar disorder, please speak with your healthcare provider.
Who Has Bipolar Disorder?
In the United States, about 5.7 million adults — about 2.6% of the population — have a condition called bipolar disorder.
Of those, 1.5 million adults live with Bipolar I Disorder (also known as manic-depressive illness).
The condition tends to start in late adolescence or early adulthood,
but it can appear in children and older adults as well.
Read below to learn about the different types of bipolar disorder.
Types of Bipolar Disorder
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, there are four basic types of bipolar disorder, all of which involve clear changes in mood:
Did you know?
At the present time, bipolar disorder cannot be diagnosed through a physical exam or lab tests; it can only be diagnosed by a healthcare provider.
Mood Episodes
There are three basic types of mood episodes, and a fourth type that is a combination of the basic types — and is the topic of this website.
Bipolar Disorder — It’s Not the Same as Depression
Many people are curious about the difference between bipolar disorder and depression, since depression can either be a diagnosis on its own,
or part of another disorder.
It is important to remember that people who experience mania and depression at the same time are experiencing what is known as a "mixed episode."
Diagnosing Bipolar I Disorder
To be formally diagnosed with Bipolar I Disorder, a person must have experienced at least one episode of mania lasting at least seven days. The person typically also experiences depressive episodes lasting at least two weeks. Remember, only a healthcare professional can correctly diagnose bipolar disorder and suggest a proper treatment plan. If you think you may have bipolar disorder, please speak with your healthcare provider.
If a healthcare provider suspects Bipolar I Disorder, he or she may first conduct a physical exam and blood tests to rule out other possible causes. He or she will then conduct a psychological interview using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), which defines the four types of bipolar disorder the four types of bipolar disorder.
Diagnosing Bipolar I Disorder
To be formally diagnosed with Bipolar I Disorder, a person must have experienced at least one episode of mania lasting at least seven days. The person typically also experiences depressive episodes lasting at least two weeks. Remember, only a healthcare professional can correctly diagnose bipolar disorder and suggest a proper treatment plan. If you think you may have bipolar disorder, please speak with your healthcare provider.
If a healthcare provider suspects Bipolar I Disorder, he or she may first conduct a physical exam and blood tests to rule out other possible causes. He or she will then conduct a psychological interview using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) , which defines the four types of bipolar disorder.
Treating Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is a lifelong illness with no known cure, but it may be successfully managed in various ways. A successful treatment plan usually includes a combination of medication, psychotherapy (“talk therapy”), and lifestyle management techniques.
Different types of medications are often used to help control the symptoms of bipolar disorder. It’s important to know that individuals may need to try several different medications before finding which medication, or medications, work for them. These can include:
Remember — only a healthcare professional can determine if medication is needed to treat your bipolar disorder, and prescribe what’s appropriate for you.
When combined with the appropriate medication,
psychotherapy can be a part of a successful treatment
for bipolar disorder
because it reinforces a sense of connection. It can include:
A healthcare professional can help determine if any of these psychotherapy treatments may be appropriate for you.
Lifestyle choices can also help. Following a daily routine that allows for adequate sleep, consistent exercise, and a healthy diet can help reduce the stress and anxiety that can trigger or even worsen mood episodes.
Remember — following the treatment plan as recommended by your healthcare provider is a key component of a successful bipolar disorder treatment. For information on an FDA-approved prescription medicine for the acute treatment of manic or mixed episodes of Bipolar I Disorder, click here.
Lifestyle choices can also help. Following a daily routine that allows for adequate sleep, consistent exercise, and a healthy diet can help reduce the stress and anxiety that can trigger or even worsen mood episodes.
Remember — following the treatment plan as recommended by your healthcare provider is a key component of a successful bipolar disorder treatment. For information on an FDA-approved prescription medicine for the acute treatment of manic or mixed episodes of Bipolar I Disorder, click here.