| Have you heard of the term mood swings? What | | | | some books about bipolar disorder, bipolar type 1 is |
| about manic depression? If you have, then it wouldn't | | | | also called the "raging" bipolar. |
| be difficult to explain what bipolar disorder means. All | | | | Bipolar Type 2 |
| these terms mean the same thing. This is a serious | | | | The bipolar type 2 disorder is characterized by the |
| mental illness and is categorized as bipolar type 1 and | | | | occurrence of at least one hypomania episode and |
| bipolar type 2. | | | | one major depressive state. Sometimes, this type may |
| Bipolar disorder is characterized by an abrupt change | | | | even have occurrences of more depressive episodes. |
| of moods from an energetic mania (and hypomania) to | | | | In some cases, hypomania actually enables the |
| the lowest depressive state. Both bipolar disorder | | | | individual to excel in their fields of expertise. The state |
| categories share the same characteristics in mood | | | | of hypomania can be apparent in people that are top |
| swing levels. However, the drawing line between the | | | | achievers in the work environment and at parties. The |
| bipolar type 1 and the bipolar type 2 is on the varied | | | | symptoms in hypomania are mostly positive and may |
| episode levels of each mood swing. | | | | run for about four days before it subsides. |
| Bipolar Type 1 | | | | Though its manifestation is obvious and can be |
| The type 1 bipolar disorder is characterized based on | | | | observed clearly by other people, the "swinging" bipolar |
| the occurrence of at least one manic episode, with or | | | | (as it is aptly called) doesn't cause any disruption in |
| without the occurrence of a major depressive episode. | | | | normal functional settings. It doesn't cause any |
| The mania in this diagnosis is full-blown. This | | | | hospitalization to a hyperactive person and doesn't |
| abnormality would usually last for a week at the very | | | | have psychotic tendencies. |
| least. But there are cases that the bipolar patient is | | | | Swinging Down To Depression |
| required to be confined for more than a week if | | | | However, the same level of hypomania can swing |
| hospitalized. | | | | back down into its depressive episode and its effect |
| Symptoms of this type include the following: | | | | can be devastating to the person. Manifestations of |
| * Self-esteem is high and the patient possesses a | | | | this depressive state is apparent in broken marriage, |
| great deal of confidence. | | | | badly-ended relationships, unfinished projects, public |
| * Ambitious attitude is apparent in this state. | | | | humiliation, and more. |
| * There is the feeling of sleeplessness. | | | | But this type of bipolar disorder is difficult to treat |
| * The patient tends to talk excessively. | | | | because of the benefits the person enjoys from his |
| * The patient has a tendency to think more than the | | | | achievements in the hypomanic stage. From a |
| usual. | | | | layman's standpoint, the hypomania in bipolar type 2 |
| The danger of this type is that the patient may | | | | doesn't even seem to look like there's any sign of |
| hallucinate, losing his grasp of reality. In some cases of | | | | mental illness at all. |
| bipolar type 1, the patient is diagnosed as psychotic. In | | | | |