Different Bipolar Disorders

There can many different extents which bipolar can exist. Bipolar I disorder is where a person can experience mania, and depression alternating. When you experience mania and depression at the same time, this form is called mixed states. Another kind of bipolar is Bipolar II, this is when you experience depression often, and hypomania less often.

Bipolar I can have one or more manic episodes present in their life; depression is not required to have Bipolar I disorder. Unlike Bipolar I, Bipolar II is where one or more major depressive episodes occur, and the person has never had a manic or mixed episode.

Cyclothymia is another form of Bipolar disorder. This is where they have hypomania symptoms for at least two years, with no major or manic depression. The time limit for children is one year, unlike two years for adults.

There is also Bipolar Disorder- NOS (not otherwise specified). This is used when you have bipolar symptoms that do not fit the other diagnosis.

Symptoms of any Bipolar disorder are feeling on top of the world, laughing a lot, rages, easily irritable, starting arguments, snappy, loud, needing less sleep, hallucinating, delusional, not being able to sit still, not being able to focus, racing speech and thought, poor judgment, and many other symptoms. You cannot diagnosis Bipolar disorder on yourself or a loved one. If someone has many signs or symptoms the best judgment would be to seek medical help.