Bipolar Disorder – is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings that include emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and emotional lows (depression). Mood swings can occur rarely or multiple times throughout the year. Some patients report emotional symptoms in between episodes, while others do not. Although bipolar disorder is a life-long condition, you can manage your mood swings and other symptoms be seeking help and following a treatment plan.
Mania and hypomania are two distinct types of episodes, but they have the same symptoms. Mania is more severe than hypomania and causes more noticeable problems at work, school and social activities, as well as relationship difficulties. Mania may also trigger a break from reality (psychosis) and require hospitalization.
Both a manic and a hypomanic episode include three or more of these symptoms:
A major depressive episode includes symptoms that are severe enough to cause noticeable difficulty in day-to-day activities, such as work, school, social activities or relationships.
An episode includes five or more of these symptoms:
Characterized by at least one manic episode that may be followed by a hypomanic or depressive episode.
Characterized by at least one major depressive episode, and at least one hypomanic episode. No history of full-blown mania.
Characterized by depressive symptoms occurring with signs and symptoms of hypomania.
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