Wednesday, January 21, 2009

The Different 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.

# 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.

Type 2: Bipolar Disorder 2

People with this type of bipolar disorder suffer from periods of severe depression that is occasionally accompanied with episodes of mild mania known as hypo mania. No delusions are experienced in bipolar disorder 2 but there is still impaired mental functioning.

Type 3: Cyclothymic Disorder

Alternate attacks of hypo mania and mild depression can be experienced by people with this type of disorder. The symptoms of this type of disorder are not as severe as the previously mentioned types of disorders but are longer in duration with no break in the occurrence of symptoms.

# 4 Bipolar Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (NOS)

This type includes those bipolar symptoms and features that don't meet any of the categories of bipolar disorder, such as very rapid alternation between depressive symptoms and manic symptoms, recurrent episodes of hypo manic phase without depression, and hypo manic episodes that are associated with chronic depression.

Bipolar disorder 1 is the most severe of all the types of bipolar disorders. It will possibly have a high frequency of recurrence if left untreated. This type has an estimated 15% death risk by suicide rate. It also considered as third on the list of leading causes of death among people aged fifteen to twenty-four years old. This type of disorder is often said to be a hereditary disorder but there other factors like brain tumors, multiple sclerosis and hyperthyroidism that can cause this type of disorder. Even environmental factors like giving birth to a child, stressful life events, sleep deprivation,stimulants and electroconvulsive therapy are also considered to be causes of bipolar 1 disorder.

The symptoms of Bipolar Disorder 1

Both manic and depression phases is experienced with bipolar 1 disorder and the usual symptoms like unusual happiness and sadness ,grandiose delusions, pressured speech, change in eating and sleeping patterns and suicidal attempts can also be expected.

How to Teat Bipolar 1 Disorder

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.

Being diagnosed with a bipolar disorder and in particular bipolar 1 disorder, should not be taken for granted as non-treatment could mean the difference between life and death due to suicide. Once symptoms are evident, immediate treatment should be sought.

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