BIPOLAR DISORDER

WHAT IS BIPOLAR DISORDER?

In my search for both answers and freedom I have read numerous publications on Bipolar Disorder, all with similar information.  The best information I have found to date is from Julie Fast’s book “Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder”. Below is the DSM-IV official Psychiatric definition of Bipolar along with some definitions from both Julie Fast and other pertinent resources.

Bipolar Disorder is a Mood Disorder similar to Depression and Anxiety Disorders and different from Schizoprenia, which is a psychotic disorder (although Bipolar can have psychotic principles) and Borderline Personality Disorder.

Bipolar Disorder is a genetically transmitted Medical Illness that affects brain chemistry, and more specifically the brain’s ability to regulate moods.  It results in abnormal regulation of nerve cells that are responsible for emotional regulation.  This abnormality in brain chemistry leads to difficulties in controlling strong emotions and periodically cause intense episodes of either mania or depression as well as a wide variety of other symptoms. Bipolar Disorder is an episodic disorder; rather than being continuous, there are ebbs and flows as people experience a variety of discrete mood swings. It is a lifelong illness, that can begin anytime during childhood with the average age of onset in early adulthood. Although lifelong, with the right comprehensive treatment plan it can be managed successfully.

-From the Book “Take Charge of Bipolar” by Julie Fast

DEFINITION FROM THE DSM-IV

Bipolar Disorder is a mental illness characterized by the presence of one or more of the following:

• Manic Episode
• Mixed Episode
• Hypomanic Episode

Only one of these episodes needs to occur just once during the lifetime of an individual in order for that individual to be considered as suffering from Bipolar Disorder.

The presence of a Major Depressive Episode is very common in the lifetime of individuals with Bipolar Disorder (more 90% of these individuals have at least one Major Depressive Disorder in their lifetime), but it is not necessary. There are individuals with Bipolar Disorder who do not have a history of Major Depressive Episodes in their lifetime.

Subtypes of Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar I Disorder

To be diagnosed as Bipolar I, an individual must have at least one manic or mixed episode (lasting for at least a week) within his or her lifetime. A depressive episode is not required in order to warrant a dianosis of Bipolar I, although most people usually have multiple depressive episodes.

Bipolar II Disorder

In order to receive a diagnosis of Bipolar II Disorder, one must have had at least one hypomanic episode and at least one depressive episode within his or her lifetime. The patient must have never had a manic episode.

Cyclothymic Disorder

To be diagnosed with Cyclothymic Disorder, one must have experienced, over a period of two years (one year for children and adolescents), numerous periods of time with hypomanic symptoms as well as periods of depressive symptoms that do not meet the criteria for Major Depressive Episode. More than half of the days need to be either high or low, and all periods of wellness need to last for less than 2 months. The person must never have had a manic episode.