Understanding The Difference In Bipolar Types I And II
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If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, you might be curious about what it means. Maybe you've heard about it before but never looked into it. Perhaps you know there are multiple types, and now you're trying to figure out which one applies to you. Either way, you must take a closer look at bipolar types I and II and just what they can mean for you and your life in the future.
What is bipolar disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a mental health disorder characterized by extreme ups and downs. People with bipolar disorder may feel extremely excited and have a great deal of energy at certain times; at other times, they may feel like they are in a deep depression. What's worse is that the highs and lows can each last for several weeks or even months before switching course. You never know what to expect or how long the good or bad times will last.
There are multiple types of bipolar disorder, but since the most commonly diagnosed bipolar disorders are bipolar I and II, we will focus on those types.
What is bipolar I disorder?
Bipolar I means that you have extreme episodes of mania. In this subtype of the disorder, you must have at least one manic episode to be diagnosed. That manic episode could include risky behavior, poor sleep, trouble concentrating, extreme happiness, extreme energy, and restlessness. This is not the same as simply being in a good mood or being hyper. The extremes will be evident to anyone who sees them, and it will be clear that something is wrong or very different.'
Mania could mean that the individual spends money recklessly, engages in high-risk behavior, is sexually promiscuous, or otherwise acts in ways that are incongruent with their normal behavior or what is considered socially acceptable behavior. Their actions interfere with their daily life, making it difficult to be reasonable or calm. Instead, they will generally be over the top for extended periods. These conditions must not be caused by another health condition, alcohol, or drugs to officially be considered a manic episode consistent with bipolar I disorder. Also, patients with bipolar I may or may not have depressive episodes.
What is bipolar II disorder?
Bipolar II disorder is characterized by major depressive episodes. Someone with bipolar II may not have a full-blown manic period as described with bipolar I. Instead, they will have hypomanic episodes, which are considered less severe. With the major depressive episode, it must last at least two weeks, and there must then be at least one episode of hypomania to receive this diagnosis. Unfortunately, because of how the depressive episode presents, patients may initially be misdiagnosed with major depressive disorder.
Patients with bipolar II disorder will have both hypomanic and depressive symptoms. The hypomanic symptoms may likewise showcase behavior different from typical behavior and will likely interfere with everyday life.
Still, the hypomanic symptoms will not be as severe as full-blown mania. These are generally still severe enough that an outside observer will recognize that something is different or wrong and point out the behavior. Individuals suffering from hypomania typically engage in risky behavior, be overly excited or energetic, and in many ways similar to the full-blown mania we discussed. Still, they may not be to quite the same extreme. Other health conditions or drugs and alcohol must not induce these symptoms for them to be considered hypomania.
Likewise, individuals with bipolar II will also suffer from depressive symptoms. These symptoms are very similar to major depressive disorder and include periods of sadness and hopelessness. The individual may experience a lack of interest in things they enjoyed and may be excessively tired or irritable. They may also have difficulty concentrating, sleeping too much or too little, eating too much or too little, or having thoughts of suicide. These symptoms must also not be caused by alcohol, health conditions, or drugs to be considered depression or part of bipolar II disorder.
People who are diagnosed with type II bipolar disorder may be more likely to experience “rapid cycling,” experiencing four or more episodes of either mania or depression in one year.
How does bipolar disorder happen?
Like many other mental health disorders, we know little about how someone develops bipolar disorder or why others don't. In general, we understand that some physical characteristics or chemical imbalances in the brain can cause this condition. The reasons for these developments are unclear.
Those with parents or siblings diagnosed with bipolar disorder are also at a higher risk for being diagnosed. There appears to be some genetic aspect, and the more people in your family with this disorder, the higher your risk will be. There is still no research identifying a specific gene that causes bipolar disorder, and there's no clear understanding of how this disorder is genetic. We also know that genetics is not the only way that you could develop bipolar disorder.
Some research suggests that extreme stress, drug, alcohol abuse, and even extreme experiences throughout life could result in bipolar disorder. Losing a loved one, suffering abuse, dependence on mind-altering substances, and more could all impact the brain dramatically, putting someone at a higher risk of developing bipolar disorder. Though not everyone who goes through these experiences will develop bipolar disorder, they most definitely increase the risk. Therefore, patients must seek mental health treatment if they experience severe symptoms, hopefully before developing bipolar disorder.
The diagnosis process
When it comes to diagnosing bipolar disorder, it requires an evaluation of symptoms related to mania, hypomania, and depression. Patients may be asked questions to determine more about their behaviors and experiences. They may also be encouraged to bring a close friend or a family who has witnessed much of the behavior and can speak to the situation even better. These individuals may be able to answer some questions and help the mental health professional get a better picture of just what's going on and how to diagnose it properly.
Treatment for bipolar disorder
Treatment for bipolar disorder may include a combination of medication and talk therapy. Medications used to treat bipolar disorder are commonly called mood stabilizers that aim to prevent episodes of mania or hypomania and depressive episodes.
Mental health treatment from a licensed professional is recommended. This treatment will enable patients to work with someone to better understand their symptoms, behavior, and what they need to know about living with bipolar disorder.
Getting professional help
When you're ready to get professional help, you must find someone who can work with you effectively. You need someone you feel comfortable talking to who is available to start helping you right away. If you’re thinking about starting treatment, consider online therapy.
With online treatment, you can find an extensive range of mental health professionals to help you. You don't have to worry about commuting to an office or being on a waiting list for an appointment. Instead, you can easily meet with your mental health professional from the comfort of your home or anywhere you have an internet connection. Online therapy is effective, too. In fact, one analysis of 14 studies concluded that online interventions are just as effective as online treatment. If you’re interested in online therapy, sign up with Regain to get started.
Takeaway
Bipolar types I and II have some similarities, but there are differences that distinguish one from the other. Regardless of the type, treatment is usually the same and centers on talk therapy. If you or someone you know needs help, consider talking to an online therapist.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Understanding Guilt: Some Common Guilt Synonyms
Feelings of guilt are one of the main symptoms of survivor's guilt. Someone may experience feelings of guilt regarding what they did or didn't do during the event, how they could have handled it differently, their survival of the event, support or help they may have received, and so on. Someone struggling with said guilty feelings might ruminate over how the event or the event's outcome may have been changed if they'd done something differently; however, a traumatic experience is not the fault of the person who went through it. There's no way to know if the outcome could have been modified. In addition to feeling guilty and ruminating, survivor's guilt symptoms may include but aren't limited to nightmares or flashbacks, anxiety, irritability, feelings of helplessness, feelings of depression, feeling down on oneself, and trouble sleeping.
Where is guilt felt in the body?
Feelings of guilt tend to impact the body in several ways. Physical symptoms of guilt may include nausea, headaches, insomnia, low energy or fatigue, and body aches. If someone feels guilty, particularly on an ongoing basis, they may notice these physical symptoms.
How do you cope with guilt?
When you feel guilt and shame, you must face it head-on. It can be hard to look feelings of guilt and shame in the eye, especially in the case of survivor's guilt; it can be difficult to grasp that you aren't the one to blame. In the case of healthy guilt and remorse, you may deal with the guilt by processing your emotions and, most importantly, working on behavior changes. It may be beneficial to acknowledge your feelings with survivor's guilt and remember that the blame is solely on the perpetrator, not you. Sometimes, as in the case of natural disasters, there may be no one at fault.
No matter how you handled the event, it's what brought you here today, and that is resiliency. No one deserves to go through what you did, and the way a person copes with trauma is not their fault. Trauma responses vary, and when we're in a bad situation, we react however we know how to survive. Your response was valid, and now, or once guilt is processed, the future and moving forward is the thing to focus on. Unresolved guilt can impact a person tremendously. Guilt of any kind can be challenging to work through, so if you're struggling, do not hesitate to reach out for the support of a therapist or counselor who can help you overcome guilt. They can help you understand your feelings of guilt, work through them, and challenge your thoughts when you feel guilty about the situation moving forward.
What is survivor's guilt?
Survivor's guilt is when someone feels guilty or experiences guilt and shame following a traumatic event. Again, they may feel guilty due to surviving or making it out of the situation when others may not have had the same experience, ruminating over how things could've gone differently, or wondering if their own actions could've impacted the outcome. Survivor's guilt is a potential symptom of post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD.
Often, people say that there are two types of guilt; maladaptive guilt and healthy guilt. When it comes to these two types of guilt, the difference is that healthy guilt refers to remorse that is proportionate to one's actions, where maladaptive guilt is typically disproportionate and misdirected. When someone experiences maladaptive guilt, they feel guilty for something they could not truly control or didn't cause, which is common in those with survivor's guilt. Many things can lead to guilt, but it is possible to work through it.
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