What is bipolar disorder? Types, symptoms, and causes

[sandeepsharma]

Want to know the definition and symptoms, causes for the disease

[specialmom]

Sandeepsharma, in the US, the DSM is actually used as the go to, bible so to speak by psychiatrists that treat psychiatric disorders. It guides how to diagnose, criteria to use and psychiatrists use it readily. It's updated as things evolve. Bipolar has evolved from where it was in the original DSM to where it is in today's DSM 5.  The 5 stands for 5 updated volumes with the way things are done currently.  I am not sure why you asked your question, but speak to your psychiatrist directly about this if you or if a loved one of yours is wondering if they have bipolar or it is being suggested by a doctor.  The way bipolar is treated medically has also evolved over the years. There are more and better therapeutic options than previously. The fact that the psychiatric information evolves over time is a good thing. It helps doctors better diagnose and treat their patients.  Good luck to you.

[specialmom]

So bipolar has evolved to where it is now.  A psychiatrist diagnoses it and there are FOUR different types that they now diagnose you as.  https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324437  This article goes through the four different types but there are many sites that you can find information about this from.  The four types are:
1. Bipolar 1.  This is when people have mania that lasts at least 7 days.  Often they also have episodes of depression that lasts at least 2 weeks but you do not have to have the depression component to be diagnosed with Bipolar 1.  Hypomania (severe mania) predominates this diagnosis.
2. Bipolar 2.  This is the type of bipolar that has BOTH mania and depression that cycles.  Mania is usually less severe than bipolar 1.  
3. cyclothymic disorder.  This type of bipolar diagnosis is given to adults who have some mania and depression for at least 2 years in adults, 1 year in children but don't meet the full criteria of wholly manic diagnosis or depression diagnosis.  
4. Other cause bipolar.  This is when the bipolar symptoms are caused by other things such as drug addiction, medical condition or alcohol abuse.  

Bipolar 1 and 2 are most common.  Here's some information that is easy to read on that.  https://www.healthline.com/health/bipolar-disorder/bipolar-1-vs-bipolar-2

My good friend was diagnosed with bipolar 2 a year ago.  And her sister was diagnosed with Bipolar 1.  Interesting, they were both diagnosed about a month apart.  Knowing them both, it made complete sense.  

As to what causes bipolar, any of the 4 types, doctors don't really know.  They theorize abnormalities in the physical characteristics of the brain and/or chemical imbalance of the brain.  Usually a psychiatrist diagnoses this and determines your subtype of bipolar.  Medication and psychotherapy is usually used to treat bipolar.  My friend enjoys the sensation of mania and hates medicine.  She often stops it and then starts the cycle all over. This is very common in bipolar patients.  Staying in treatment is really important.  

Let me know if you have any other questions!

[Paxiled]

Again, Mom, bipolar 2 isn't a psychosis, it is a form of depression.  So are the rest.  Only one of them is a psychosis.  It is important, because we have no cure for psychotic illness.  We can only treat it with medication.  Depression is whatever form can be treated in therapy if one is lucky and can go away.

[specialmom]

https://www.psycom.net/bipolar-definition-dsm-5/  This has the DSM 5 classifications for bipolar disorder that was updated to include exactly what I stated.  What we think we know is not always the case.  Facts and documentation prove otherwise.  

[specialmom]

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519712/table/ch3.t8/

https://medicaidmentalhealth.fmhi.usf.edu/_assets/file/Guidelines/2017-2018%20Treatment%20of%20Adult%20Bipolar%20Disorder.pdf
https://journalbipolardisorders.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/2194-7511-1-14
https://www.namcp.org/MD_Resource_Centers/Bipolar/html/info/types.html

All referencing the bipolar 1, bipolar 2 and cyclothynic disorder and not a word about one of them being 'true' bipolar.  This is a change in the world of psychiatry and how they diagnose things.  

To the original poster, are there any questions you have about it specifically?

[Paxiled]

Okay, Mom, I'll try again.  Because unlike you I've lived this.  I see psychiatrists and they have tried to diagnose me.  It doesn't matter what articles you're reading, as they are probably all the same article being reproduced by everyone.  It is true, there are now several types of bipolar.  Only one is psychotic.  I will tell you, one form is, if you are irritable sometimes along with depression it is now a form of bipolar.  Many psychiatrists and psychologists vehemently disagree with the modern diagnostic manual, so again, it's up to you to believe whatever you want.  But if you've ever known someone with true bipolar, and that is a term I use, not a scientific term, when they are walking naked down the street and end up strapped to a gurney shot up with Thorazine while living in the book of Genesis, that is true bipolar.  That does not happen with the other forms.  That doesn't mean they are pleasant forms of depression, but it does mean for the poster that if he or she is psychotic, we only know to treat that with medication.  If it's not psychosis but a form of depression, then it can theoretically be treared with therapy or time or lifestyle changes or whatever the same as any other form of depression.  That is the difference.  Now, again, we can stop this because you're going to disagree with me pretty much on everything, and every time I say something you are going to the Google machine, and I'm fine with that.  Happy holidays, Mom.

[specialmom]

DSM 5.  I believe they are pretty much the bible of UP To DATE and current information on psychiatric disorders.  Things evolve and change  and they have with diagnosing bipolar disorder.  Happy holidays to you as well

[specialmom]

Point being, this is not just an article's speculation, it is how the DSM 5 classifies bipolar disorder NOW.  Feel free to read the DSM 5 for further information.  

[Paxiled]

Don't know how many times I can say this, but yes, it is in the DSM, no, the DSM isn't the Bible, it's a highly controversial document entirely written by the pharmaceutical industry and those paid by it, which doesn't make it entirely wrong but does make it not entirely right.  But you're still evading the main point, which is the only thing important to the person posting, which is, is he psychotic or depressed?  Only one of these bipolar designations is a psychosis.  We can keep going back and forth on this if you want, Mom.  Until the thread gets closed or all this gets taken down, anyway.  So for the person posting, read all this and make up you own mind.  The DSM doesn't tell you what you have.  For that you need a diagnosis from a psychologist you trust.  

[Paxiled]

There is only one true bipolar and several that are just ways depression is manifested and are not true bipolar.  Bipolar is mostly known by extreme mood swings from deep depression to manic phases with intense energy, productivity, and really extreme behavior.  Don't think anyone knows the cause.  The other types are pretty random, defined more to sell drugs than to really expand our understanding of depression.  True bipolar, which used to be called manic depressive disorder, is a psychosis and can only be treated with medication.  It is not curable.  The others, being forms of depression, could theoretically and hopefully be cured by time, therapy, lifestyle changes, and the like.  

[specialmom]

It seems like a long time since you have read up on bipolar. It's now got two different categories to encompass the full disorder.  I think your information is outdated.

[Paxiled]

No, it's not.  There are more than 2 categories, there are several, but only one is true bipolar.  The others are forms of depression that manifest themselves with moods that fluctuate.  I've had my own experience with shrinks with this, and I have my doubts about these diagnoses, but if you go into it deeper you will find that there is psychotic bipolar however you want to define that and then you have non-psychotic bipolar, which is a subset of depression.  Since the latter is controversial among psychologists and psychiatrists, I'll leave it to you to decide where you want to fall in that camp.  Peace.