Types of Bipolar DisorderThere are 4 different main types of bipolar disorder, but they share many of the same symptoms.
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Bipolar ICharacterized by having at least one major manic episode (described as feeling "on top of the world" and
able to accomplish anything - may cause poor decisions, decreased need for sleep, talkativeness, thoughts racing through one's mind, inflated self-esteem) that may be followed or preceded by hypomanic or depressive episodes. These manic episodes last for at least one week or require immediate hospital care. Cyclothymia
Characterized by having many periods of hypomanic and depressive symptoms for 2 years (only 1 year for children and adolescents). These periods of symptoms do not meet the requirements for being hypomanic episodes and depressive episodes, however. |
Bipolar 2Characterized by having at least one depressive episode and one hypomanic episode (this has the same symptoms as manic episodes, but it doesn't require hospital care, and its victims don't have trouble working and socializing).
Bipolar II is not necessarily a milder form of Bipolar I - Bipolar II's victims don't suffer from dangerous manic episodes (unlike Bipolar I's victims), but they can be depressed for longer periods of time. Other Types
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Sources
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