There are several types of bipolar disorder. They differ mainly in the type, severity, and duration of mood episodes a person experiences.
Bipolar I Disorder
Bipolar I disorder involves manic episodes. A person may also experience depressive episodes and, in some cases, mixed features.
Mania involves a significant change in mood, energy, activity, and behaviour.
A manic episode lasts at least 7 days, or for any duration if hospitalisation is needed.
Severe mania can affect a person's judgment, safety, relationships, finances, and ability to function.
Severe or dangerous manic symptoms may require urgent medical assessment or hospitalisation.
Depressive episodes can occur and commonly last at least 2 weeks.
Bipolar II Disorder
Bipolar II disorder involves:
Hypomanic episodes
Major depressive episodes
A person with bipolar II does not experience full manic episodes. If a person has experienced a manic episode, the diagnosis is generally bipolar I rather than bipolar II.
Hypomania is less severe than mania and does not usually cause the same level of severe impairment or require hospitalisation because of the episode itself. However, bipolar II can still have a significant impact on a person's life, particularly because of major depressive episodes.
Cyclothymic Disorder
Cyclothymic disorder (cyclothymia) involves repeated periods of:
Hypomanic symptoms
Depressive symptoms
The symptoms do not meet the full criteria for a hypomanic episode or a major depressive episode.
In adults, these symptoms occur over at least 2 years, with symptoms present during much of that time.
Cyclothymic disorder is sometimes described as a milder or less severe form of bipolar-spectrum illness, but this does not mean that the person's difficulties should be dismissed. The condition can still affect relationships, work, education, and everyday life.
Important Point
People experience bipolar disorder differently. The diagnosis does not tell us everything about the individual.
Professionals should consider the person's own experiences, strengths, difficulties, support needs, and goals rather than making assumptions based only on the diagnosis.
Bipolar Disorder: When Might Someone Need Hospital Treatment?
When someone with bipolar disorder experiences mania, people may wonder whether they need to go to hospital.
The answer is: not necessarily.
Mania can range from symptoms that can be managed in the community with appropriate professional support to severe symptoms that require urgent medical assessment or hospital treatment.
What should people look for?
Urgent professional help may be needed when a person's symptoms become severe or their safety is at risk.
Examples can include:
Severe confusion or agitation
Hallucinations or delusions
Very risky or dangerous behaviour
Severe loss of judgment
Going for several nights with little or no sleep while becoming increasingly unwell
Being unable to look after basic needs such as eating, drinking, or personal safety
Thoughts of suicide or self-harm
Behaviour that puts the person or someone else at immediate risk
Hospital Is Not Automatically Needed
Having bipolar disorder, or experiencing some manic symptoms, does not automatically mean someone needs to be hospitalised.
Some people may be able to receive treatment and support while living at home or in the community.
The decision depends on the severity of the symptoms, the person's ability to stay safe, their level of functioning, available support, and the assessment of healthcare professionals.
Listen to the Person
It is also important to remember that people experience bipolar disorder differently.
Don't make assumptions based only on the diagnosis.
Ask:
“How is this person doing?”
“What are they experiencing?”
“Are they safe?”
“What support do they need?”
The aim is to get the person the right level of help at the right time, while respecting their dignity, independence, and involvement in decisions about their care.
A diagnosis does not tell us everything about the person. Their individual circumstances matter.
No comments:
Post a Comment