What is the difference between mania and bipolar

Some of these emotional peaks and valleys can last for weeks or months. There are four basic types of bipolar disorder :. Bipolar 1 and 2 disorders are more common than the other types of bipolar disorder. Read on to learn how these two types are alike and different. All types of bipolar disorder are characterized by episodes of extreme mood.

The highs are known as manic episodes. The lows are known as depressive episodes. The main difference between bipolar 1 and bipolar 2 disorders lies in the severity of the manic episodes caused by each type.

A person with bipolar 1 may or may not experience a major depressive episode, while a person with bipolar 2 will experience a major depressive episode. You must have had at least one manic episode to be diagnosed with bipolar 1 disorder. A person with bipolar 1 disorder may or may not have a major depressive episode.

The symptoms of a manic episode may be so severe that you require hospital care. Manic episodes are usually characterized by the following:. Bipolar 2 is sometimes misdiagnosed as depression, as depressive symptoms may be the major symptom at the time the person seeks medical attention. When there are no manic episodes to suggest bipolar disorder, the depressive symptoms become the focus.

As mentioned above, bipolar 1 disorder causes mania and may cause depression, while bipolar 2 disorder causes hypomania and depression. A manic episode is more than just a feeling of elation, high energy, or being distracted. During a manic episode, the mania is so intense that it can interfere with your daily activities. They may also engage in high-risk behaviors, such as sexual indiscretions despite being in a committed relationship.

Though less severe than a manic episode, a hypomanic phase is still an event in which your behavior differs from your normal state. The differences will be extreme enough that people around you may notice that something is wrong.

Depressive symptoms in someone with bipolar disorder are like those of someone with clinical depression. They may include extended periods of sadness and hopelessness. The key symptoms include:. During a manic or hypomanic phase, you may not be able to recognize these changes in yourself. Unlike hypomanic episodes, manic episodes can lead to serious consequences. With mania, you may also have a break with reality. Psychotic symptoms can include:. The exact cause of bipolar disorder is unclear.

Family history may play a role. Bipolar disorder may also involve a chemical imbalance in the brain. During your appointment, your doctor will likely take your medical history and do a physical exam.

Diagnosing mania and hypomania can be complicated. Also, if you have depression but your doctor is unaware of manic or hypomanic behavior, they may diagnose you with depression instead of bipolar disorder. In addition, other health conditions can cause mania and hypomania. Plus, an overactive thyroid gland can cause symptoms that mimic hypomania or mania. In most cases, symptoms must last at least a week for your doctor to diagnose them as mania. To treat mania and hypomania, your doctor may prescribe psychotherapy as well as medication.

The medication can include mood stabilizers and antipsychotics. You may need to try several different medications before your doctor discovers the right combination to treat your symptoms effectively. If you have problems with side effects, talk to your doctor. Healthy lifestyle habits can help. Maintain a healthy diet, get a little exercise every day, and go to bed on schedule every night. Since hypomania is less severe than the mania that occurs in bipolar I disorder, bipolar II is often described as "milder" than bipolar I—but this is not completely accurate.

Certainly, people with bipolar I can have more serious symptoms during mania, but hypomania is still a serious condition that can have life-changing consequences and so should be properly addressed.

In addition, research suggests that bipolar II disorder is dominated by longer and more severe episodes of depression. In fact, over time, people with bipolar II become less likely to return to fully normal functioning between episodes.

One study specifically concluded that bipolar type II was linked to a poorer health-related quality of life compared to type I. This remained true even during long periods of euthymia. Thus, experts tend to believe that bipolar II disorder is equally if not more disabling than bipolar I disorder because it can lead to more lifetime days spent depressed and not doing as well overall between episodes.

As with many mental health conditions, bipolar disorder is associated with a certain stigma in society, which may make coping with the condition more difficult for you or a loved one. Whether or not someone with bipolar faces stigma directly, know that the best way to cope with the condition is to connect with others who are experiencing it and get professional help.

You can also fight stigma to help you cope better, and read up on your rights. Bipolar disorder can occur in kids of any age. With a timely diagnosis, a treatment plan for symptom management can be better established. Bipolar disorder is a complex mood disorder.

If you are worried that you or a loved one has symptoms of a bipolar episode, seek medical attention for a proper evaluation. Although bipolar is not curable, it is treatable. With the right medication and support, symptoms can be managed to the point where quality of life isn't drastically affected. Dealing with racing thoughts? Always feeling tired? Our guide offers strategies to help you or your loved one live better with bipolar disorder. Sign up for our newsletter and get it free.

Bipolar II compared with bipolar I disorder: baseline characteristics and treatment response to quetiapine in a pooled analysis of five placebo-controlled clinical trials of acute bipolar depression. Ann Gen Psychiatry. Culpepper L.

The diagnosis and treatment of bipolar disorder: decision-making in primary care. National Institute of Mental Health. Your email address will not be published.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. By Taylor Bennett on Nov 15, with 1 Comment. Read: Back to Basics, Depression Tagged With: bipolar disorder depression mental health.

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