What are 4 Different Types of Bipolar Disorder?

There are four different types bipolar diagnoses. In each case, the symptoms of the disorder may vary slightly, resulting in unique challenges for a person coping with the condition.

1. Bipolar I

Bipolar I (sometimes referred to as manic depression manic-depressive disorder) is diagnosed when a person experiences one or more episodes of mania. It may or may not be combined with a depressive episode, that lasts a week or longer. It’s common for Bipolar I symptoms to appear for people in their teens or early 20s and rarely for anyone over the age of 50.

2. Bipolar II

Bipolar II is characterized by one or more episodes of depression, along with one manic phase, that might include some stability between episodes. The “highs” associated with Bipolar II are not typically as intense as with Bipolar I and sometimes go unnoticed, leading to a misdiagnosis of depression. Similar to Bipolar I, symptoms develop early in life and rarely develop as they get older.

3. Bipolar Disorder Not Otherwise Specified

Bipolar Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (NOS) is the diagnosis when the symptoms of bipolar don’t appear to follow a typical pattern. For example, with Bipolar Disorder NOS, a person might experience swings between manic episodes and have seemingly few symptoms of depression.

4. Cyclothymia

Cyclothymia (also known as cyclothymic disorder) is considered a low-grade type of bipolar disorder because of the milder episodes of depression and mania that are present on and off for at least two years. Cyclothymia is a mild form of bipolar disorder that affects men and women equally, but it impacts less than 1 percent of the population in the United States.

What are the Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder?

The symptoms of bipolar disorder are often difficult to diagnose because of the varying ways the mental health condition appear in different people. In addition, the symptoms can be entirely different depending on whether a person is experiencing a manic or depressive episode. Symptoms of bipolar depression usually include some of following:  Fatigue, exhaustion, and an increased need to sleep  Feelings of worthlessness, guilt or hopelessness  Inability to concentrate or focus and trouble making decisions  Drug or alcohol dependence or misuse  Suicidal thoughts or tendencies, also known as suicidal ideations Symptoms of a manic episode can include some of the following:  Increased energy levels and sleeping very little, if at all  Acting jittery, restless and impulsive  Racing thoughts and rapid fire speaking, accompanied by difficulty communicating  Expressing grandiose thoughts or feeling exhilarated in odd situations  Acting out in a high-risk way, such as having unprotected sex with strangers or going on drug or alcohol benders

How are Bipolar Disorders Treated?

A diagnosis for bipolar disorder will likely include a physical exam, not because the condition shows up in blood work or imaging, but to rule out any other illnesses or medications that may be causing related side effects. Proper treatment for bipolar disorder takes an integrated approach to helping a person recognize and manage their symptoms. Many psychiatrists will prescribe mood stabilizers such as Lithium, Abilify, or Lamictal, although it’s necessary to combine these medications with behavioral therapy for successfully managing the symptoms. At Pure Sports Recovery, athlete clients recovering from a dual diagnosis of addiction and bipolar disorder are treated with scientific, evidence-based approaches that can include:  Counseling with board certified, licensed therapists  Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)  Neurofeedback  Medications, such as mood stabilizers and antidepressants  Trauma therapy  Meditation and Mindfulness instruction  Holistic lifestyle approaches that include proper nutrition, a regular exercise regimen and other activities that stimulate the body and mind As mentioned earlier, when a person experiences a mental health issue, like bipolar disorder, combined with an addiction to drugs or alcohol, it can be difficult to know which condition appeared first. For recovery to be successful, a proper dual diagnosis treatment program will work on healing both conditions in tandem. Not all treatment facilities are capable of treating both mental health and addiction but Pure Sports Recovery is.

Pure Sports Recovery’s Approach to Bipolar Disorder Treatment

Pure Sports Recovery’s integrated cognitive neuroscience approach is uniquely qualified to address both issues of addiction and mental illness simultaneously, and our clinical team is comprised of the best professionals in the fields of addiction, psychiatry and clinical psychology. We offer programs specifically designed to meet the unique needs of athletes. Each of our athlete clients at Pure Sports Recovery receives a customized treatment plan created to specifically to address their individual needs and challenges related to bipolar disorder and drug or alcohol dependence.