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Mental Health

Bipolar I vs. Bipolar II

8 de agosto de 2024

3 min de lectura

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes a wide range of dramatic mood episodes ranging from high-energy mania to low-energy depression.

Bipolar disorders can be of four kinds.

Bipolar disorder I
Bipolar disorder II
Cyclothymic disorder
Other unspecified bipolar-related disorders

Bipolar I and II are the most common types of mental health disorders. While they both share certain similarities, they have two key differences.

While people with bipolar I experience mania requiring hospitalization, those with bipolar II experience major depressive episodes that impact their appetite and food habits.

What is bipolar I?

Bipolar I is a mental health disorder with major mood episodes that may include:

Depressive episodes
Manic episodes
Hypomanic episodes

To be diagnosed with bipolar I disorder, a person must have had at least one manic episode lasting seven or more days with or without a major depressive episode.

What is bipolar II disorder?

Bipolar II disorder is a mental health disorder with mood episodes that may include:

Hypomanic episodes
Depressive episodes

To be diagnosed with bipolar II disorder, a person must have experienced one hypomanic episode and at least one major depressive episode lasting about two weeks. Such a person must not have had any manic episodes intense enough to require hospitalization.

Symptoms of Bipolar I and II Disorder

Both bipolar I and II have similar symptoms with two key differences. While people with bipolar I experience episodes of mania, those with bipolar II have major depressive disorders.

Generally, people with bipolar disorders experience three types of mood episodes.

Depressive episodes

Both bipolar I and bipolar II can cause depressive episodes with symptoms similar to major depression. Symptoms of depressive disorder may include:

Feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or depression
Lack of interest in everyday activities
Changes in appetite with significant weight gain or loss
Trouble sleeping at night with daytime sleepiness
Physical restlessness while feeling weighed down or heavy
Difficulty in concentrating and making decisions
Having recurring thoughts about death and suicide

To be considered a depressive episode, it must have at least five of these symptoms for two weeks or longer.

Manic and hypomanic episodes

Both mania and hypomania have similar symptoms that include:

Experiencing racing thoughts
Feeling powerful, important, or special
Experiencing elevated, energetic, or irritable mood
Engaging in risky behaviors like mindless shopping, substance abuse
Feeling restless or unable to sit still
Being easily distracted
Jumping from one topic to another
Showing unusual intensity while working on projects at work, school, or home
A reduced need for sleep
Talking quickly or too much

In addition, people with manic disorders can experience psychosis ( break from reality). They also have a hard time taking care of their basic needs like eating, sleeping, and maintaining a place to live.

Bipolar I vs. Bipolar II

Bipolar I and II have two key differences.

Intensity of manic episodes

While bipolar I involve episodes of severe mania, bipolar II involves periods of less severe hypomania. Mania lasts for at least one week and is considered a medical emergency requiring hospitalization.

In contrast, hypomania lasts for at least four days with less severe symptoms and does not have psychotic features or impair daily functioning.

Prevalence of major depressive episodes

A diagnosis of bipolar II requires at least one major depressive episode involving persistent depressive mood for at least two weeks.

Bipolar I and II Diagnosis

If you have symptoms of bipolar I or II, you may be referred to a mental health specialist. A blood test and a comprehensive physical exam may rule out other possible causes of your behavior.

Bipolar I and II Treatment

Both bipolar I and II are treated using a combination of medication and psychotherapy.

Medications may include:

Antidepressants
Anticonvulsants
Mood stabilizers like lithium
Antipsychotics to treat mania or psychosis

The types of psychotherapy may include:

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy (IPSRT)
Family-focused therapy (FFT)

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En esta página

What is bipolar I?

What is bipolar II disorder?

Symptoms of Bipolar I and II Disorder

Depressive episodes

Manic and hypomanic episodes

Bipolar I vs. Bipolar II

Intensity of manic episodes

Prevalence of major depressive episodes

Bipolar I and II Diagnosis

Bipolar I and II Treatment