Wednesday, January 21, 2009

The Various Types of Bipolar Diseases

By Ken P Doyle

There are many names which can be given to bipolar disorder and some of these include bipolar affective disorder, manic-depressive illness, manic depression, bipolar mod disorder and manic-depressive disorder. The general symptoms that people with bipolar disorder often experience include unusual shifts in mood, energy, behavior and normal functioning ability. The mood swings can be from high periods of mania to low episodes of depression. The severity of the disorder will determine the frequency of the mood swings. There are different categories that bipolar disorders can be placed under and this will depend on the type of symptoms that are being shown by the person affected. These categories or types include bipolar 1 disorder, bipolar disorder 2, cyclothymic disorder and bipolar disorder not otherwise specified.

Type 1: Bipolar Disorder 1

People who suffer from this type of disorder often experience both bipolar mania and depression. Bipolar 1 disorder is more commonly known as bipolar disorder 1. Bipolar 1 disorder differs from bipolar disorder 2 in terms of the duration and severity of the symptoms. The duration of the symptoms in bipolar 1 disorder can last anywhere from weeks to a couple of months.

# 2 Bipolar Disorder 2

People who suffer from bipolar disorder 2 often experience severe depression along with periods of mild mania known as hypomania. There are no delusions experienced with this type of disorder but mental functionality is still impaired.

# 3 Cyclothymic Disorders

People with cyclothymic bipolar disorder experience alternate attacks of mild depression and hypo mania. It lasts longer than the bipolar disorders 1 and 2 with no break in the manifestation of symptoms but is not as severe.

Type 4: Bipolar Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (NOS)

Any of the symptoms that dont meet any of the categories of bipolar disorder would fall under this type of disorder. These include recurrent episodes of hypomanic phase without depression, rapid alternation between depressive symptoms and manic symptoms, and hypomanic episodes that are associated with chronic depression.

Of all the types of bipolar disorders mentioned, the most severe would have to be the bipolar 1 disorder. The frequency of recurrence will most likely be high if not treated properly. The estimated death risk by suicide rate for this type of disorder is 15% and is the third leading cause of death in people aged fifteen to twenty four years old. Bipolar disorder 1 is a hereditary disorder but there are other factors that can also cause this type to occur. These include certain illnesses such as brain tumor, multiple sclerosis, hyperthyroidism and environmental factors like giving birth, sleep deprivation, stressful life events, electroconvulsive therapy and stimulants.

Bipolar 1 Symptoms

Bipolar 1 involves both the manic and depression phases. Therefore the symptoms are the usual ones like unusual happiness and sadness, change in eating and sleeping patterns, grandiose delusions, pressured speech and suicidal attempts.

Bipolar 1 Treatments

Some of the more commonly used medications in the treatment of bipolar 1 include mood stabilizers, antidepressants and anti-psychotics. Anxiety, insomnia and restlessness can also be managed by other prescribed medications. In some cases, psychotherapy is also a choice of treatment.

Having Bipolar disorder 1 or any other bipolar disorder for that matter should not be taken lightly since it can be fatal due to suicide if not treated. Treatment should be acquired straight away once symptoms are evident. - 20897

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