Bipolar Type 2 And Type 1 - What Is The Difference?

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Flor_Serquina]Flor Serquina

Have you heard of the term mood swings? What about manic depression? If you have, then it wouldn't be difficult to explain what bipolar disorder means. All these terms mean the same thing. This is a serious mental illness and is categorized as bipolar type 1 and bipolar type 2.

Bipolar disorder is characterized by an abrupt change of moods from an energetic mania (and hypomania) to the lowest depressive state. Both bipolar disorder categories share the same characteristics in mood swing levels. However, the drawing line between the bipolar type 1 and the bipolar type 2 is on the varied episode levels of each mood swing.

Bipolar Type 1

The type 1 bipolar disorder is characterized based on the occurrence of at least one manic episode, with or without the occurrence of a major depressive episode. The mania in this diagnosis is full-blown. This abnormality would usually last for a week at the very least. But there are cases that the bipolar patient is required to be confined for more than a week if hospitalized.

Symptoms of this type include the following:

* Self-esteem is high and the patient possesses a great deal of confidence.

* Ambitious attitude is apparent in this state.

* There is the feeling of sleeplessness.

* The patient tends to talk excessively.

* The patient has a tendency to think more than the usual.

The danger of this type is that the patient may hallucinate, losing his grasp of reality. In some cases of bipolar type 1, the patient is diagnosed as psychotic. In some books about bipolar disorder, bipolar type 1 is also called the "raging" bipolar.

Bipolar Type 2

The bipolar type 2 disorder is characterized by the occurrence of at least one hypomania episode and one major depressive state. Sometimes, this type may even have occurrences of more depressive episodes.

In some cases, hypomania actually enables the individual to excel in their fields of expertise. The state of hypomania can be apparent in people that are top achievers in the work environment and at parties. The symptoms in hypomania are mostly positive and may run for about four days before it subsides.

Though its manifestation is obvious and can be observed clearly by other people, the "swinging" bipolar (as it is aptly called) doesn't cause any disruption in normal functional settings. It doesn't cause any hospitalization to a hyperactive person and doesn't have psychotic tendencies.

Swinging Down To Depression

However, the same level of hypomania can swing back down into its depressive episode and its effect can be devastating to the person. Manifestations of this depressive state is apparent in broken marriage, badly-ended relationships, unfinished projects, public humiliation, and more.

But this type of bipolar disorder is difficult to treat because of the benefits the person enjoys from his achievements in the hypomanic stage. From a layman's standpoint, the hypomania in bipolar type 2 doesn't even seem to look like there's any sign of mental illness at all.

Flor Serquina is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Bipolar-Disorder-Today.com. She provides more resources on topics such as [http://www.bipolar-disorder-today.com/bipolar-type-2.html]bipolar type 2, [http://www.bipolar-disorder-today.com/causes-of-bipolar-disorder.html]causes of bipolar disorder and [http://www.bipolar-disorder-today.com/medications-for-bipolar-disorder.html]medications for bipolar disorder that you can research on her website even while lounging in your living room.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Flor_Serquina http://EzineArticles.com/?Bipolar-Type-2-And-Type-1---What-Is-The-Difference?&id=813439

Related News:

Being Bipolar disorder will disqualify you to become a surrogate mother because you are deemed as physiologically unhealthy.

The Online Bipolar Test - What's It All About?
An online bipolar test should not be used as your sole means of diagnosis! You will be doing yourself or your loved ones a great disservice if you try to self-diagnose. Only a trained and qualified medical professional has the ability to evaluate you for any type of mental illness.

Bipolar Type 2 And Type 1 - What Is The Difference?
Both bipolar disorder categories share the same characteristics in mood swing levels. However, the drawing line between the bipolar type 1 and the bipolar type 2 is on the varied episode levels of each mood swing.

Related Articles:

Bipolar Affective Disorder - You Are Not Alone
A number of instances may set off the mood swings which include - inadequate sleep, drug abuse, not taking medications, illnesses, fall outs with family and friends, bereavements etc. It's also common to trigger mood swings when placed in a new environment such as starting a new job or going to university.

Learn More About Bipolar Affective Disorder
Bipolar affective disease is a recurring illness that means if left untreated it can continue indefinitely. It is very important that a patient who suffers from bipolar affective disorder is treated for the disease not only when it is diagnosed but also through the course of their lives.…

Ways To Cope With Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, has a very serious effect on the sufferer's life. It also effects those closest to the patients in a detrimental way and getting treatment as soon as possible is paramount. Sufferers need the attention of physicians, psychiatrists…

Identify Bipolar Disorder Triggers
is of huge advantage for disorder patient to identify the triggers of your mood swing in order to control your bipolar symptoms. You can do this by having your very own personal mood chart. all you need to do is record all your emotions and the corresponding events that took place. After sometime, you will be able to notice that there are certain patterns of your mood swings.

Bipolar Disorder Advancements
Bipolar disorder is a mental illness requiring prolonged treatment. People with this disorder experience extreme emotional highs (mania) and lows (depression.) Numerous advancements in bipolar disorder treatments have been made over the past few decades.

Sufferers of Bipolar Disorder - Good Parent, Bad Parent
Although no child should have to experience some of the problems that come with having a bipolar disorder parent, no upbringing is perfect, and like most bad experiences in life, good lessons can be learnt from them. Most children of parents with bipolar disorder learn a great deal about mental illness during their parents depressive and manic episodes, and grow into extremely understanding adults. The unique positive traits that come with bipolar disorder can create a very open and loving relationship between the child and the parent with bipolar disorder that is full of deep emotion and understanding. Its up to you to decide whether the pros make up for the cons for children of parents with bipolar disorder.

A Startling Fact About How To Support A Spouse with Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar never goes away, and it's never cured, only treated. There is no happy ending. If you can't live by the old saying, "It's the journey, not the destination," then I advise you not to take this trip with someone you care about who's been diagnosed with a bipolar mood disorder.

Why Do You Stay in Your Bipolar Relationship?
Bipolar disorder runs roughshod over relationships. The divorce rate is three times higher in these marriages than in the general population. The pressure on us from friends, family and professionals is unrelenting. Those who ask, "Why do you stay in your relationship?" are not supportive.

Your Spouse Is Bipolar - Now What?
Your spouse has just been diagnosed as having bipolar disorder, so what's next for both of you? Here's a short check list of do's and don'ts to put things into perspective, to let you see that you do not have to face this alone and that there is hope.

Parenting A Bipolar Child - Help Your Child Lead A Rewarding Life
Parenting a child with bipolar disorder presents its own unique challenges. Family and friends may have attributed your child's difficult behavior to stubbornness or other personality flaws. They may disagree with your parenting skills, however it is important to recognize and accept bipolar disorder for what it is – just another medical condition.

Bipolar Disorder Symptoms
Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that effects over 2 millions American adults every single year. Because it is a recurrent illness it can be very difficult to treat; patients may think they are feeling better and stop the treatment but this will only see the problems recurring. It…

Symptoms of Bipolar in Children
Early prevention and treatment for children with bipolar will increase the chances of getting better and living a normal life. Properly treating bipolar children will help reduce any adverse effects not only in the life of the children with bipolar but in their families lives as well.

Information for Spouses of Husbands and Wives with Bipolar Disorder
There is no blueprint for success when you're looking for information about how to support a husband or wife with bipolar disorder. I wish I could give you a checklist of things to do to guarantee whatever success you're seeking. I wish I could promise you a happy ending. But bipolar disorder manic depression doesn't work that way.