Can Bipolar Diagnosis Change From I to Ii

Bipolar disorder is a mental wellness status divers past periods (ameliorate known as episodes) of farthermost mood disturbances. Bipolar affects a person's mood, thoughts, and behavior.

There are two main types of bipolar disorders: bipolar I and bipolar II. According to theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, bipolar I disorder involves episodes of severe mania and oftentimes depression. Bipolar Ii disorder involves a less severe grade of mania called hypomania.

Verywell / Hugo Lin

Symptoms

Despite the major divergence when information technology comes to mania in the two types of bipolar disorder, in that location are quite a few similarities in symptoms.

Depressive Episodes

In bipolar I disorder, a major depressive episode (one or more)usuallyoccurs, but it is not required. Bipolar II disorder involves 1 or more major depressive episodes. Common symptoms that occur in a major depressive episode include:

• Insomnia or hypersomnia
• Unexplained or uncontrollable crying
• Severe fatigue
• Loss of involvement in things the patient enjoys during euthymia
• Recurring thoughts of expiry or suicide

Both disorders may include periods ofeuthymia—symptom-free or "normal" states.

Mania

Manic episodes last at to the lowest degree seven days. An individual experiencing a manic episode may experience:

• Feelings of euphoria
• Less demand for sleep
• Increased sexual desire
• Hallucinations or delusions
• Marked increase in free energy

During a manic episode, individuals may appoint in risky or reckless beliefs. For example, someone may indulge in risky sexual beliefs, spend excessive amounts of money, or make impulsive decisions.

It's of import to notation that experiencing mania does not automatically mean a person will become violent or dangerous.

Sometimes people assume a "manic episode" means someone turns into a "maniac." That'south not true.

Hypomania

An individual experiencing a hypomanic episode may experience similar symptoms but their operation won't exist markedly impaired. Many individuals who experience hypomania associated with bipolar II enjoy the increased energy and decreased need for slumber.

An episode of hypomania does not escalate to a point that a person needs hospitalization, which may happen with a person experiencing mania—especially if he or she is condign a danger to others and/or themselves.

Causes

While the verbal crusade of bipolar disorder remains unclear, genetics is believed to play a major part. This is evidenced, in role, by studies of twins in which one or both had a bipolar I diagnosis. In 40% of identical twins (those with identical factor sets), both twins were institute to be bipolar compared to less than 10% of fraternal twins (who don't share all the same genes).

Other contributing factors include abnormalities in a person'due south brain circuitry, irregularities in neurotransmitters, and environmental factors such equally childhood trauma or abuse.

Diagnosis

When diagnosing bipolar disorder (regardless of the blazon), a mental wellness clinician must rule out other illnesses such as schizoaffective disorder, schizophrenia, delusional disorder, or schizophreniform disorder that may share like symptoms.

Bipolar disorder cannot be diagnosed like other illnesses where a blood test, 10-ray, or concrete examination tin provide a definitive diagnosis. The diagnosis is based on a set of criteria that a person must meet in lodge to be considered bipolar.

An informed diagnosis would likely include specific tests to exclude other concrete contributions to the bipolar symptoms. This may involve a drug screen, imaging tests (CT scan or MRI of the brain), electroencephalogram (EEG), and a full battery of diagnostic blood tests. Your doctor will also inquire you questions, and you should do your best to piece of work closely with your healthcare team to confirm a diagnosis and find the right treatment plan for you.

Bipolar Disorder Discussion Guide

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Treatment

Treatment of bipolar I disorder is highly individualized and based on the types and severity of symptoms a person may be experiencing.

Mood stabilizers are the core of the treatment process, and other agents are oft used, such equally:

• A mood stabilizer, such every bit lithium
• Anticonvulsants to stabilize mood swings
• Antipsychotics to control psychotic symptoms such every bit delusions ​and hallucinations, as well as the newer "atypical" antipsychotics which have mood-stabilizing properties of their own
• Antidepressants (less commonly prescribed as they can trigger a manic episode)

In more than astringent cases, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may be used to assist relieve mania or severe depression.

Both Types Should Exist Properly Treated

Since hypomania is less severe than the mania that occurs in bipolar I disorder, bipolar 2 is often described as "milder" than bipolar I—merely this is not completely accurate. Certainly, people with bipolar I can have more serious symptoms during mania, but hypomania is nonetheless a serious status that can have life-changing consequences and so should exist properly addressed.

In addition, research suggests that bipolar Ii disorder is dominated by longer and more severe episodes of depression. In fact, over time, people with bipolar Ii become less likely to return to fully normal functioning between episodes.

1 study specifically concluded that bipolar type II was linked to a poorer health-related quality of life compared to type I. This remained true even during long periods of euthymia.

Thus, experts tend to believe that bipolar Ii disorder is equally (if not more than) disabling than bipolar I disorder considering it can lead to more than lifetime days spent depressed and not doing every bit well overall between episodes. Proper treatment should be pursued for all types of bipolar disorders, and you should work closely with your healthcare squad to effigy out the all-time treatment for you.

Coping

As with many mental health conditions, bipolar disorder is associated with a sure stigma in society, which may make coping with the condition more difficult for you or a loved 1. Know that stigma very often develops because of lack of knowledge—those who make comments or discriminate are commonly ignorant or take fright based on what they remember they know about the disorder.

Whether or not someone with bipolar faces stigma directly, know that the best way to cope with the status is to connect with others who are experiencing it and go professional assistance. Y'all can also fight stigma to help you cope improve, and read upward on your rights.

In Kids

Bipolar disorder tin can occur in kids of any historic period. It's important for parents and caregivers to exist aware of the unique signs—they should pay attention to a child's functioning, feelings, and whatever family history of the disorder. With a timely diagnosis, a treatment plan for symptom management tin can be ameliorate established.

A Word From Verywell

Bipolar disorder is a complex mood disorder. If you are worried that you or a loved i has symptoms of a bipolar episode, seek medical attention for a proper evaluation.

Although bipolar is non curable, it is treatable. With the right medication and support, symptoms tin be managed to the point where quality of life isn't drastically affected.

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Source: https://www.verywellmind.com/bipolar-disorder-overview-378810

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