Treatment for
Bipolar Disorder
Formerly known as manic depression or manic-depressive illness, bipolar disorder is a condition that affects roughly 5.7 million Americans. While this condition most often begins in adolescence, it can also develop as late as age 50.
What is
Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a neurobiological condition that results in unusual changes to mood, energy, activity levels, the ability to focus, and much more. Regardless of which phase of the condition you are currently experiencing, carrying out daily tasks can be difficult, if not impossible.
What Are the
Types of Bipolar Disorder?
According to DSM-5, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition, there are currently three recognized types of bipolar disorder. These are Bipolar I Disorder, Bipolar II Disorder, and Cyclothymic Disorder, also known as Cyclothymia.
Bipolar I Disorder
Bipolar I Disorder is characterized by manic episodes that last at least seven days or are so severe that they require immediate hospitalization. Depressive episodes last at least two weeks, and manic episodes may also occur.
Bipolar II Disorder
Bipolar II Disorder is defined by a pattern of hypomanic and depressive episodes. At least one depressive episode must last at least two weeks, and at least one hypomanic episode must last at least four days.
Cyclothymia
Cyclothymia is a rare condition characterized by moderate changes in mood from your baseline. People with this condition can usually hold down a job and function reasonably well but functioning consistently is a significant struggle when their mood trends downward from their baseline.