Categories of Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar Disorder (Formerly known as Manic Depression) is a mental illness linked to alterations in moods such as mood swings, mania, and depression. There is more than one type, Bipolar I and Bipolar II, and the subcategories are divided by the severity of the symptoms seen, such as cyclothymic disorder, seasonal mood changes, rapid cycling disorder and psychosis. Age of onset usually occurs between 15-30 years old with an average onset of 25 years old but it can affect all ages. (Harvard Medical School; Massachusetts General Hospital , 2013) Bipolar disorder affects more than two million people in the United States every year. (Gardner, 2011)
The first category is Bipolar I, which is diagnosed when a person has at least one manic episode or one mixed episode (where mania and depression occur at the same time). On average, four or more episodes are experienced in one year. (Staff, 2012) If left untreated, mania typically lasts seven days to a few months. Untreated depression can last six months to one year. Next is Bipolar II, which is diagnosed when a person has at least one major depressive episode and one hypomanic episode. They will not have had a full blown manic episode, or a mixed one. Then there is cyclothymia or cyclothymic disorder where there is a mood disturbance and shift, but far less severe than that observed in Bipolar Disorder. In order to be diagnosed, a person will have had this dysfunction for at least two years.
In 2013, the American Psychiatric Association revised the DSM to include Disruptive Mood
Dysregulation Disorder, which may have an impact on the diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder in children.
While it is rare to have a diagnosis in children younger than 12 years of age, it does happen. Average age of onse...

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... in assisting those who care about the bipolar individual, as well as providing socialization and a means to not feel alone. Generally, as a last resort, electroconvulsive therapy, or ECT is used. An electrical current is passed through the brain. This is thought to change the brain chemistry and increase the mood. This is used only for severe depression or when symptoms are unsuccessfully treated with medications. People with Bipolar Disorder are encouraged to avoid drinking alcohol, avoid the use of street drugs or misusing prescription medications, avoid unhealthy relationships, get plenty of sleep, and exercise on a regular basis. One thing is clear. The person themselves must be active in their own well-being in order to maintain a relatively healthy and productive lifestyle. In so doing, the prognosis for someone diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder is very good.