What is the difference between Bipolar I and Bipolar II disorder? Which is more serious?

Answer 1

BIPOLAR 1:
This is the classic manic-depressive disorder. Patients with this subtype have full-blown episodes of both mania and depression.

BIPOLAR 2:
In bipolar 2 disorder, patients still have depression, but the symptoms of mania are not as severe. These patients have what is called hypomania. The symptoms are similar to mania, but without the delusions and hallucinations that may accompany full mania. In adolescence, hypomania appears as a markedly elevated or irritable mood accompanied by increased physical and mental energy.

Mixed States Bipolar Disorder:
There is something called mixed states bipolar disorder that is important to understand. This comes in two types, mixed bipolar disorder and rapid cycling bipolar disorder.

Mixed bipolar disorder is characterized by simultaneous manic and depressive symptoms.

In rapid cycling bipolar disorder the patient experiences frequent switches from depression to mania/ hypomania and back.
These mixed states are found in bipolar 1, bipolar 2, and cyclothymic disorders. Children and adolescents often have mixed bipolar disorder. These mixed states are often associated with thyroid abnormalities. They do not respond well to lithium, the standard treatment for bipolar disorders.

Answer 2

According to the DSM-IV definitions, the differences are:

Bipolar 1, at least one manic or mixed episode (major depressive episode not needed)
Bipolar 2, at least one hypomanic episode
Cyclothymia, repeated hypomanic episodes and depression not meeting the criteria for major depression
Bipolar NOS (not otherwise specified), anything that can't be pigeonholed into the above categories.

There are some softer criteria: Bipolar 1 typically has one or more mood episodes (mania or depression) in a year, Bipolar 2 has four or more episodes a year. Rapid Cycling Bipolar 2 can have episodes lasting weeks, and Ultra Rapid Cycling can involve episodes lasting days.

As to which is the more sever of the two, I'm not sure there is an answer to that. I think that Bipolar 1's probably have a greater chance of being hospitalised during mania, but as most Bipolar 1's that I know also have major depressive episodes, there's probably not much difference in suicide risk (a scary 20-25% of untreated bipolars will attempt suicide, and 15% will succeed).

Because of the greater rate of cycling and more unpredictability, I think that Bipolar 2 sufferers probably burn their way through more jobs and relationships then Bipolar 1's, so in some respects that may be considered a more serious issue, but I guess it depends on the patient.

Sadly, people do not tend to be so easily pigeonholed. I have had psychotic symptoms that indicate full mania, but I cycle too fast for Bipolar 1 (in fact I am ultra rapid cycling). I suppose I should be lumped in Bipolar NOS, but I'm pegged as Bipolar 2 with psychotic symptoms. Go figure.

Current thinking (and we may see some of this in DSM-V when it appears) is that Bipolar Disorder is a spectrum disorder, and you can sort of pick 'n' mix symptoms. At the end of the day, the DSM definitions are really there to allow the insurance companies to decide what to pay out on. Clinical practice is that everyone is different and the prescribing of drugs is hit and miss, but you'll get there eventually.

Interestingly, there seem to be some biological differences, inasmuch as Bipolar 1 seems to respond better to Lithium than Bipolar 2, while Bipolar 2 tends to be treated first with anti-convulsants and anti-psychotics.

Answer 3

The indicators which would lead to a diagnosis of Bipolar II Disorder are:

One or more Major Depressive Episodes
At least one Hypomanic Episode
There has never been a Manic or Mixed Episode
Another disorder is not responsible for symptoms
Symptoms cause distress or impair functioning

Bipolar disorder(which is also known as manic depression) is a mental illness involving episodes of serious mania and depression. These can be severe mood swings accompanied by changes in emotions, thoughts, behaviours, physical health and functioning. The mood swings are more extreme and more prolonged than the everyday ups and downs that we all experience. Emotions may vary from from depression and hopelessness through to feeling overly elated('high') or irritable. People usually go through periods of normal mood in between these times.

Answer 4

As a third yr Psych main heading for my PHD I recognise the diversities and Nurse reply pointed them out. Clinical melancholy is an on going, degrading, most of the time downward spiral to hopelessness, despite meds. Depression can most of the time best difference while the instantaneous atmosphere additionally alterations, IE: I am seriously depressed approximately an hindrance inside the context of my instances. If the instances do not difference, neither will my depressions. We additionally give a contribution to our gained melancholy in approaches like hopelessness. I acquired fired from a role, I have to have performed anything unsuitable. I cannot get a brand new task on the grounds that I would possibly do anything unsuitable there too, so I wont hassle to seem for a brand new task on the grounds that i suppose it is going to be futile to take action. Manic/Depressive...Bi Polar is a little more elaborate and more difficult to diagnose within the explanations. One hour, momen, or day I would possibly suppose means UP and jubilant, although I have no idea why. The subsequent second, hour or day I could also be in a extreme melancholy, additionally now not information why, however much more harassed approximately the why. Heck Yesterday I felt satisfactory, what occurred? Dallas

Answer 5

My psychiatrist told me that Bi-polar I is worse than Bi-polar II. When a person is Bi-polar I they are primarily manic. It is when a person is manic that a person is self-destructive in some of the following ways. By the way, not all symptoms must be present during a manic episode:

- Unrealistic beliefs in one's abilities & powers
- Poor judgment
- Spending sprees
- increased sexual drive (promiscuity)
- Abuse of drugs, particularly cocaine, alcohol & sleeping meds
- Provocative, intrusive or aggressive behavior
- Denial that anything is wrong

There are many more symptons but the above ones are destructive.

A manic episode is diagnosed if elevated mood occurs with 3 or more of the symptoms nearly every day for 1 week or longer.

And by the way, there is such a thing as Bi-polar Mixed. I processed many a disability application when employed at Social Security with this diagnosis given by the individual's physician.

Answer 6

Bipolar ! and II (or 1 and 2) are discussed in lots of health forums and websites on the internet, including http://www.healthboards.com and http://www.rxlist.com and http://ehealthforum.com and right here in http://answers.yahoo.com
To read these discussions by people about their own experiences, use a good health forum search engine:

Bipolar 1 & 2:
http://dnoneoftheabove.com/?cx=002486926153363561559%3Ayblv8b6jj6c&q=bipolar+1+2&sa=Go&cof=FORID%3A9

Bipolar I & II:
http://dnoneoftheabove.com/?cx=002486926153363561559%3Ayblv8b6jj6c&q=bipolar+I+II&sa=Go&cof=FORID%3A9
.

Answer 7

I found some good info here.