Bipolar 1
 

Can you guys tell me what Bipolar 1 is?

I need to understand what the difference is? Between it and Bipolar 2?

Thanks
Donna

Bipolar I and Bipolar II
 

Donna,

It is hard question.

This is what wikipedia says:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bipolar_II_disorder

People with bipolar I disorder suffer from at least one manic or mixed episode, and may experience depressive episodes. On the contrary, as noted above, people with bipolar II disorder experience a milder form of a manic episode, known as a hypomanic episode as well as major depressive episodes.

Although bipolar II is thought to be less severe than bipolar I in regards to symptom intensity, it is actually more severe and distressing with respect to episode frequency and overall course. Those with bipolar II often experience more frequent bouts of depressive episodes.


Does this help?

M

Yes it does.

One question though is when a person is mainly depressive. With a once
in a while. Much over years of maniac. And has a anxiety disorder too.

Can the depressive side be very severe, and it still be bi-polar 1.

My daughter-in-law has just been told in the last few months by her
neurologist. That she is biplar 1. I'm honestly not sure when she was
told. She is just know finally able to talk about it and able to accept it.

In the last week or so. I have seen the maniac side in her in the years
I've known her. But its usually not very often that she swings back and
forth. Or is even just really high. If you know what I mean.

But she has always had anxiety attacks' and has medication for them.

She takes Paxil CR I believe it is. After trying a few other meds that are
also used for bi-polar or depression. Or at least I believe Paxil is. She
is on a couple others now too, I don't honestly know what now.

One for sleeping at night. And one she calls her calming down med that
she takes all the time now. Its a new one for her. She says when she looked
it up it had a tranquilzer in it. So I'm on the look to find out what they are.

She has calmed down a lot, and does a lot better lately. So what ever is going on she seems better. I do believe this was a good timing for him to tell her. And for her to accept the new diagnosis, to go along with the one she knew of depression, and anxiety.

Donna:grouphug::hug:

Dear Donna


People with Bipolar 1 can and do experience VERY SEVERE depressive episodes. It is possible for a Bipolar 1 to have manic episodes without depression but it is not common.

With either diagnosis there can be a predominance of depressive episodes, especially later in life ... post-partum depression is a particular risk in bipolars. Major Depression.

With either diagnosis there can be a predominance of manic/hypomanic episodes... BUT --- a bipolar 2 will never have a manic or mixed episode, otherwise they must be considered bipolar 1.

Mania is defined as lasting a week or more, and sx are usually more severe than hypomania. Hypomania is defined as lasting less than a week. However if psychotic symptoms are present (this does not necessarily mean a full psychotic break), then, a person is considered manic regardless of duration or degree of other sx, and therefore bipolar 1, not 2.

Waves, :)

Thank you. The dx stuff is hard for me to explain.
. . . especially since I have been dx'd BP NOS most of my life.
Two visits ago pdoc decided that I was BP II . . . but with my history of mixed I think he is wrong.

M

Dear Donna,

Yes. Severe depression can be part of Bipolar I.
That is good that she is getting treatment.

M

link to diagnostic criteria
 

Donna these are the diagnostic criteria currently in effect.

scroll down to Mood Disorders. you can then click on one of the single disorders (bipolar 1, bipolar 2... etc)

http://www.behavenet.com/apa-diagnos...-dsm-iv-tr#301

For Bipolar 1 mania is required, not necessarily depression, however if you look into the different sub-dx's, you'll see they refer to "recurrences" which can mean either no mania for 2 months or a switch to Major Depressive Episode.

For Bipolar 2 depression is required as well as hypomania which must not, however, meet the criteria for mania as i mentioned above.

that is more precise than my post and it is from the horses mouth.

now keep in mind docs do not follow DSM strictly... they use it as a guideline. so it is possible your sis has shown sx that point to bipolar 1 at some point if they gave her that dx.

it does not make a lot of difference in that treatment is the same... some meds work and/or are better tolerated by some individuals than others... it's trial and error.

take care

waves

Dear Mari
 

Me too actually. I guess it's hard for a doc who doesn't see you frankly manic or mixed to underwrite a BP1 dx. Mine here has used BP 1 and BP NOS but in the US my pdoc always used NOS and didn't even think i was bipolar at first, despite what i told him of early episodes -- i had much more mania at onset. my current pdoc says that is quite common.

so hopefully we can both look forward to less of that. not that i look forward to depression. sheez. i really have lost my marbles.

waves

Thanks Ladies

I understand this lots better. I wasn't worried about which one she was.

I just made the mistake of telling her there were more than one kind.
And for the moment the definition I gave her worked. It really wasn't
the right one. But it will work for now. Because with her cognitive
problems I will not try to explain better, till she is ready.

She is just know able to except this diagnosis. I've known for a few years
that I felt she could very possibly be bi-polar. But would never have
told her. Because I knew what would happen if I said it to her.

So it surprised me how well she has excepted the fact now from a doctor.
She did tell me. That she freaked as she says. When he told her. And
asked if that meant she was crazy or other worse words. But he explained
it well to her. And she excepted what he said.

It is amazing that he is so good to her and for her. I am so happy she
has such a good neurologist. Now to straighten out her regular doctor
soon.

But I really appreciate the explanations.

The helped in more than just her case.
I have relatives with the issues. And it is hard to know if they are 1 or II or
NOS.

Donna:grouphug::hug:

i don't think irritability and bipolar II was mentioned for a symptom
bobby