Bipolar 2 is a lesser degree of the illness because the mania is only a "hypomania" where you still have a grasp on reality but you have periods of excitedness, more energy. An example of this form is where you get the urge to read about a certain topic, buy 5 books on the topic and immediately lose interest and find something else to do, on and on.
With Bipolar 1, this is where you cycle from mania, (previously called, manic-depressive disorder) to severe lows, depression. A person in this category can reason highs to the point where they become delusional and feel higher than life and lack good judgment (like thinking you can run off to Another Country in one day then getting there and feeling absolutely incapable).
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(Second answerer)
I would like to clarify that the rate of mood swings is not important in determining the difference between Bipolar 1 and Bipolar 2 disorders. The difference is, as the first answerer said in the difference between hypomania and mania. Hypomania essentially is when there are symptoms of mania but they do not cause significant problems. Mania, by contrast, is when manic symptoms cause major problems such as psychosis (although about half of people who have mania are NOT psychotic, it is one example of a major problem). Other major problems could be excessive spending, excessive desire for sex and a lack of a need for sleep for several days.
Here is an example: I may experience some hypomania myself, and there are times when I only need to sleep for 3 or 4 hours to feel rested. This causes few problems. Somebody with actual mania may not sleep for two days straight by choice.
In either case symptoms of severe depression may be present. In bipolar 2 disorder severe depression is present, where as in bipolar 1 it is all about the mania - depression is optional. In a case of hypomania and mild depression another disorder called cylothemia is diagnosed.
Bipolar I is the more serious form of bipolar. It features severe depression and mania, sometimes with psychotic symptoms.
Bipolar II has the same depressive phase, but mania is replaced with hypomania, a less severe form correlated with increased functionality and creativity.
Bipolar II disorder is characterized by major depressive episodes alternating with episodes of hypomania, a milder form of mania.
It is much less likely with bipolar II than with bipolar I, but yes it can.
Bipolar NOS is a category for bipolar states that do not clearly fit into the bipolar I, II, or cyclothymia diagnoses.
Bipolar I Disorder (mot to be confused with Bipolar II). Highest suicide rate, mania, to include hallucinations and hearing voices, often violence. Bipolar I disorder also includes hypomania and severe depression. The term "Bipolar" at one time was known as Manic Depressive Illness. Currently, the name for the illness has come to include, erroneously, the Bipolar II. Bipolar II does not have the element of mania that Bipolar I does. Actually Bipolar II does have a manic element, but it is hypomanic, which is a lot less severe than the mania of Bipolar I. A lot of people, like me, start out as Bipolar II but become Bipolar I when they have their first full-blown manic attack (I prefer attack to episode because that's what it is--an attack on the mind).
the number of depressive and manic episodes.
Possibly. Bipolar disorder involves mood swings, and sociopaths can also have rapid mood swings. However, depression- which is a prerequisite for Bipolar I and Bipolar II- is rarely seen in sociopathy.
Bipolar II Disorder (Recurrent Major Depressive Episodes With Hypomanic Episodes) Source http://www.psychiatryonline.com/content.aspx?aID=2585&searchStr=bipolar+ii+disorder
Axis II, with mental retardation and learning disabilities. Axis II disorders go on throughout the person's whole life.
The symptoms of bipolar depression will vary from person to person, but there are some specific types often found. The major types are Bipolar I and II, where between depressive periods I has severe mania while II has the less severe hypomania.
No, it isn't. In fact, for sufferers of bipolar II especially, it has been linked to increased creativity and functionality.
A phenomenon known as rapid cycling occurs in up to 20% of bipolar I and II patients.
Estimates as to the worldwide prevalence of bipolar disorder are mixed. It is thought there is a lifelong prevalence rate of about 0.3-1.5% internationally for bipolar disorder. According to Merikangas et al, using World Health Organization information, it's about 0.6% for bipolar I, 0.4% for bipolar II and about 1.4% subthreashold bipolar disorder.Comparatively, in the United States, the lifelong prevalence for bipolar disorder is thought to be from 1-1.6%. This is broken down into 1% for bipolar I, 1.1% for bipolar II and about 2.4-4.7% subthreashold bipolar disorder. It is not known why bipolar disorder (especially subthreashold) appears more frequently in the United States.References: Medscape Reference - http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/286342-overview#showallEstimates as to the worldwide prevalence of bipolar disorder are mixed. It is thought there is a lifelong prevalence rate of about 0.3-1.5% internationally for bipolar disorder. According to Merikangas et al, using World Health Organization information, it's about 0.6% for bipolar I, 0.4% for bipolar II and about 1.4% subthreashold bipolar disorder.Comparatively, in the United States, the lifelong prevalence for bipolar disorder is thought to be from 1-1.6%. This is broken down into 1% for bipolar I, 1.1% for bipolar II and about 2.4-4.7% subthreashold bipolar disorder. It is not known why bipolar disorder (especially subthreashold) appears more frequently in the United States.References: Medscape Reference - http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/286342-overview#showall
Some girls are diagnosed as Bipolar, some girls are not Bipolar. All girls are not bipolar.