Types of bipolar disorder
Key points
- The person has manic or mixed episodes as well as depression.
- The person only has one or more depressive episodes with at least one hypomanic episode.
- This is characterised by chronic fluctuating moods involving periods of hypomania and depression.
- For some, hypomanic episodes are not severe enough to cause severe impairment in functioning.
There are two main types of bipolar disorder.
Bipolar 1:
The person has manic or mixed episodes as well as depression.
Bipolar 2:
The person only has one or more depressive episodes with at least one hypomanic episode. For some, hypomanic episodes are not severe enough to cause severe impairment in functioning.
When four or more episodes of illness occur within a year, the person is said to have bipolar disorder with rapid cycling.
Cyclothymic disorder
This is characterised by chronic fluctuating moods involving periods of hypomania and depression.
Written and revised by
Andrey Nailor, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
health.am provides general information, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional about your own health.
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