How's BP 1 & BP 2 determned?

What's the difference?I've been diagnosed as Major Aggitated/Depressive. I do seem to have manic phases to my personality, but never been told I'm Bipolar. I'm pleased not to have anything more than I've currently got in way of meds. Coping well at present & think I'm learning to control my moods better. Several breakdowns/hospital stays & different drugs have not 'cured' me. At my age I'm sure that saying 'keep on the drugs for rest of your life' is the easiest option. The side effects are unwelcome, but the benefits come at a price. Memory/eyes/shakes etc. Glad I found this site. Finding it very helpful. Thaks for any info.

[paranoid_cataclysm]

Maybe this will help you out.

http://bipolar.about.com/cs/faqs/f/faq_bp12dif.htm

It's good to hear you were able to get your problems associated with whatever you have under control.  Methinks it sort of doesn't really matter which disorder it is as long as the treatment is correct and accurate for you because the purpose of having a diagnosis is so each doctor can know a generalized treatment plan to abide by I think.  Some of us like me don't really have the option of being without meds because I can stop mine temporarily with will power alone but I always feel it looming in the background until something like stress causes it to break free and even then I'm still nowhere near as well as I would be had I been on medication.  Sometimes it also gets worse with age but this isn't always true.

[adel_ezz]

This question occurred to me and still is. all sites say that BP1 (mine) is worse than 2 . In the latter the pt gets hypomanic only whereas in 1 he experiences mania with psychosis. now 2 further questions arise whether 1 is really worse than 2 and 2 worse than 3 (cyclothemia = mild BP) i received different answers in different forums, perhaps ILADVOCATE can iterate here. They reckon this is not true it all depends on the severity of the symptoms, meaning you can have very bad BP2. The second question concerning BP whether it worsens with age and here i read contradicting points of view. the majority say yes, yet my pdoc says no if under control.

[HoneyNut]

I think you are right, it depends on the severity.  I don't know if one can really say one is worse than the other... we all suffer and can all relate to each others' sufferings.  I am sorry this won't help much to your questions.

Best of luck,
~* HoneyNut

[paranoid_cataclysm]

I think that maybe no mental disorder is worse than the other out of all of them, it depends on how severe it is and how much it interferes with the person's life as to whether it's worse off than another.

[ILADVOCATE]

"A person with BP II experiences hypomanic episodes but not manic episodes. The difference between mania and hypomania is a matter of severity - hypomania generally does not impair a person's daily functioning or cause the need for hospitalization.

Experience of psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations or paranoia indicates Bipolar I Disorder; the presence of such symptoms rules out Bipolar II."

This cut and paste from a clinically accurate site should explain it but you should discuss it further with your psychiatrist. Its good to find out exactly what they think is going on and what they are treating you for and why.

[tweekie]

I think that the diagnosis of Bipolar Type 2 is a bit erroneous. I think that there is nothing wrong with being a little bit energetic and creative at times. Why dampen that down with drugs that completely flatten your personality? Bipolar Type 1 is a different story, these people are severly impaired and need drugs to help them.

[ILADVOCATE]

Firstly for some people medication is a choice depending on what's going on and how severe it is but for some of these people treatment would still help. And I would say that mania should not be confused for creativity. And as for cognitive blunting which is a common side effect of some medications it doesn't mean that it occurs in all of them and as newer medications are developed that particular side effect is less likely as they develop medications to target the right receptors. You could pm me if you want to know more because I can't post links to clinical studies. Hypomania can seem like fun but sometimes it can take over a person's life without them knowing it and lessen their quality of life. Treatment shouldn't have to be a balance between feeling numb or having some episodes of hypomania and as medications improve that will be less of a problem.