List and describe the three major bipolar-related disorders covered in your text. Explain how they differ from one another?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The three types of bipolar disorder identified in the text are bipolar I disorder, bipolar II disorder, and cyclothymic disorder. In order to be diagnosed with bipolar I disorder; a person must have experienced at least one manic episode. A manic episode lasts at least a week, during which a person may be elated, agitated, talkative, experience racing or delusional thoughts, and have a decreased need for sleep. Their behavior may become erratic and dangerous, including sexual promiscuity, spending sprees, or reckless driving. In addition, people with bipolar I disorder often have episodes of feeling depressed, but this is not a requirement for diagnosis. The main difference between bipolar I and bipolar II disorder is that with bipolar II disorder, the person must have experienced a current or past episode of depression as well as current or past episodes of elevated mood. Cyclothymic disorder is used to describe a milder, often more chronic form of bipolar disorder. Although the person experiences symptoms of both depression and mania, the symptoms are not severe enough to be classified as a manic episode or one of major depression. The changes in mood lead to significant distress and impairment of the individual's ability to work and have relationships with others. These mild fluctuations in mood must last for at least a two-year period to meet the criteria for clinical diagnosis. Cyclothymic disorder is more similar to bipolar II disorder in its cycling between mania and depression, but it is not as severe. Bipolar I disorder differs from both bipolar II and cyclothymic disorder in that cycling through mania and depression is not required; only a manic episode is needed for diagnosis.