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What Is Bipolar Disorder?
In this phase, you may feel abnormally happy, agitated, restless, and dont need much sleep.
In rare and severe cases, people experiencehallucinationsand delusions during manic episodes.
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In addition, some people experiencehypomanicepisodesless severe manic episodes lasting four or more days.
These episodes can become severe, leading to suicidal thoughts.
As with manic episodes, severe depressive episodes can lead to hallucinations or delusions.
What Are the Types of Bipolar Disorder?
In most cases, bipolar 1 also causes depressive episodes.
Some people have mixed episodes that feature both manic and depressive symptoms at the same time.
Neutral periodsneither manic nor depressiveare also common with this pop in.
In between these are symptom-free periods.
Those with bipolar 2 disorder often have other mental health conditions, such as anxiety or depression.
The symptoms you experience depend on whether youre having a manic or depressive episode.
Manic Episode Symptoms
During manic episodes, emotion and activity levels are elevated.
Researchers dont know what exactly causes bipolar disorder.
How Is Bipolar Disorder Diagnosed?
This may be followed or preceded by a hypomanic or major depressive episode.
While hypomanic or major depressive episodes can occur in bipolar 1, they are not required for a diagnosis.
In bipolar 1 disorder, manic episodes last at least one week or are severe enough to require hospitalization.
Major depressive episodes are defined as having daily or nearly daily symptoms for at least two weeks.
Medications
Antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and atypical antipsychotics are medication types that healthcare providers consider.
However, these can cause what is known as cyclingrapid mood shiftsso healthcare providers prescribe them with caution.
Medication Side Effects
The side effects of medications depend on the throw in youre taking.
This work aims to identify and change problematic behaviors, thoughts, or emotions that set off episodes.
Another alternative iscognitive behavioral therapy(CBT), which focuses on changing thought patterns.
Strategies that can help include:
Summary
Bipolar disorder causes dramatic and lasting mood and behavior shifts.
People with the condition go through high-energy manic episodes and often also experience depressive episodes.
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Table 12, DSM-IV to DSM-5 Bipolar I Disorder Comparison.
