bipolar 2

For more information about bipolar 2 check out Antipsychotic Help

Q: Whats the difference between bipolar 1/2 and Severe bipolar depression with psychotic features?
I understand bipolar 1 and 2, but other than psychosis is there anything else that defines the diagnoses “Severe bipolar depression with psychotic features” from the diagnoses bipolar 1 or bipolar 2?
yeah, im diagnosed bipolar 1 with psychotic features. but also read up on this diagnoses of ssevere bipolar depression with psychotic features

A: http://www.cmellc.com/topics/bdfaq.html

Ok.. i did that wrong… http://www.manic-depression.net/bipolarI/

go here after you read the first part of bipolar 1, then keep clicking next article…

Bipolar I Disorder is not a complete diagnosis in and of itself. When someone is diagnosed with Bipolar I Disorder, the doctor uses what are called specifiers to give more information about the patient’s current condition. Specifiers describe the mood episode and severity of the illness that the patient is experiencing.

If the person most recently experienced a hypomanic episode, often no further specifiers are given. Hypomania is by definition, a mild manic episode with no psychotic features. Therefore, it would be redundant to specify the severity of the symptoms and the presence of psychotic features. This diagnosis can be further specified to give describe if the person is experiencing rapid cycling, if there is a seasonal pattern to their condition, or if there is an absence of symptoms between episodes.

The first specification tells what kind of episode is the person’s most recent episode. The diagnoses with episode specifiers used to describe the person’s most recent mood episode are:

* Bipolar I Disorder, Single Manic Episode
* Bipolar I Disorder, Most Recent Episode Hypomanic
* Bipolar I Disorder, Most Recent Episode Manic
* Bipolar I Disorder, Most Recent Episode Mixed
* Bipolar I Disorder, Most Recent Episode Depressed
* Bipolar I Disorder, Most Recent Episode Unspecified

If the diagnosis is “Bipolar I Disorder, Single Manic Episode,” that means that the person has experienced a manic episode, and they have never had any other manic or depressive episodes. For “Bipolar I Disorder, Most Recent Episode Unspecified,” the person meets the criteria for the symptoms of either a manic, mixed, hypomanic, or depressed episode with the exception of the duration of the symptoms.

If the person’s diagnosis is “Bipolar I Disorder, Single Manic Episode,” the doctor may further specify the patient’s condition according to whether or not the symptoms meet the criteria for a mixed episode. The doctor may specify if the manic episode began postpartum, meaning after the patient gave birth. The specifiers can also describe the severity of the symptoms and whether or not there are psychotic or catatonic features. The doctor can also use a diagnosis specifier to indicate if the patient is in partial remission or full remission.

With the other diagnoses, they are further specified by severity, presence of psychotic features, presence of catatonic features, whether the symptoms began postpartum, whether there is rapid cycling, if there is an absence of symptoms between episodes, or if there is a seasonal pattern. The diagnosis may also specify if the most recent episode meets the criteria for a mixed episode. These diagnoses can also be specified as being in partial remission or full remission.

Taking a look at all the possible specifiers can give you an idea of how varied each patient’s experience with Bipolar I Disorder can be. You need only compare two possible diagnoses to get an impression of how vast the continuum of bipolar disorder can be. Bipolar I Disorder, Most Recent Episode Depressed, Severe with Psychotic Features looks very different from Bipolar I Disorder, Single Manic Episode In Full Remission. Patients with those diagnoses both suffer from the same medical condition of bipolar disorder, but according to the specifiers, their symptoms and experiences with the disorder are extremely different. Without specifiers, the diagnosis of “Bipolar I Disorder” fails to convey the exact nature of the patient’s condition.

Bipolar II Disorder, the more common but by no means less severe type of the disorder is “characterized by one or more Major Depressive Episodes accompanied by one hypomanic episode.” This stipulation is used mainly to differentiate it from unipolar depression.

The key difference between Bipolar I and Bipolar II is that Bipolar II has hypomanic but not manic episodes. Also, while those with Bipolar I disorder may experience additional psychotic symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations, Bipolar II by definition cannot have psychotic features.

The indicators which would lead to a diagnosis of Bipolar II Disorder are:

* One or more Major Depressive Episodes
* At least one Hypomanic Episode
* There has never been a Manic or Mixed Episode
* Another disorder is not responsible for symptoms
* Symptoms cause distress or impair functioning

Symptoms and characteristics of depression include:

* Decreased energy
* Weight loss or gain
* Despair
* Irritability
* Uncontrollable crying

Symptoms and characteristics of hypomania include:

* Grandiosity
* Decreased need for sleep
* Pressured speech
* Racing thoughts
* Distractibility
* Tendency to engage in behavior that could have serious consequences, such as spend

Q: what is bipolar 2 exactly and what is the difference between bipolar 1 and 2?
I have been diagnosed with bipolar and whenever people find that out, they ask me if i have bipolar 1 or 2. i don’t know what the difference is so i don’t know how to answer… please help.

A: This is what it is like to have a true manic episode – hypomania is similar but not nearly so extreme. Hypomania can be very pleasant as it just feels like you are happier, more alert, have more energy, are more sexual….. just not this extreme.

If you have had an episond like this you are bipolar 1, if not you are bipolar 2.

* FEELING EXTREMELY HAPPY OR IRITABLE* Like you just won the lottery or like your boss just cut your pay in half so he could give his daughter a raise but the feelings go on and on for weeks or months.

*INFLATED SELF ESTEEM* Believe that everyone loves you, everyone knows how smart, funny, pretty, sexy, you are. Think you are so good you can do anything.

* REDUCED NEED FOR SLEEP* 2 to 3 hours of sleep a night for weeks or months and you are never tired.

* TALK FASTER AND MORE THAN USUAL* Ramble on and on but the talk may be disjointed because thoughts are going by so fast you can’t get them out fast enough. It’s called pressured speech.

* BE MORE ACTIVE THAN USUAL* Needing to run 10 miles a day when you never used to even jog. Taking up 5 new hobbies.

* RACING THOUGHTS* Can be seen as confusion. It’s very confusing because your thought go by so fast and you have no control over them it’s like having 10 people all shouting at you at the same time.

* BE EASILY DISTRACTED BY SIGHTS AND SOUNDS* Ohhhh bright and shiny things. Because you have ceased to even try to listen to your own thoughts.

* ACT IMPULSIVELY, DO RECKLESS THINGS, REDUCED INHIBITION, SPENDING SPREES* Spending the mortgage money on furniture, buying 25 books about penguins because wouldn’t it be cute if they could be a colony,* DRIVE RECKLESSLY* 120 mph down back roads with the radio blaring and not really paying attention to the road because of all the bright shiny things, *GET INTO FOOLISH BUSINESS VENTURES* cashing out your 401k to invest in a worm farm or going deep into debt so you can gamble because you know you will win, *HAVE FREQUENT, INDISCRIMINATE, OR UNSAFE SEX* like sex with strangers (without a condom) or with your sisters husband or your husbands sister. Suddenly decide you are gay because the opportunity for twice as much sex is there…… Oh my I didn’t know I was into BDSM before… tie me up and flog me baby.

I am Bipolar 1 and these are all things I have one while manic and that’s just a few of them.

Q: Bipolar 2 ?
I have major depression and rage and panic attacks is this a form of Bipolar II ??

A: For it to be any type of bipolar, there needs to be mania along with the depression. But I’m not a doc; go get an evaluation.

Q: What are some ways to cope with being bipolar 2 without medication?
I am bipolar 2 and choose not to take the medications because of the way they make me feel. I am a single mother of 4 kids and here recently the stresses of day to day life have been getting me down. I am very depressed, but want to find other ways that I can cope without meds because when I do take them I have horrible side effects. The side effects alone prevent me from taking care of my kids like they should be taken care of. So I am looking for alternatives to the meds.

A: It’s important to work with your doctor/counselor to find the right meds or combination of meds that work for you without serious side effects. Stopping treatment altogether is usually not the best way to handle the problem. Let them know your concerns, and if they don’t help you, find someone who will.

Q: Can people with bipolar disorder type 2 stay happily married or are the destined for doom?
I just found out today that I may have bipolar disorder type 2. Now instead of being depressed I am devestated. I am worried my marriage will be in jeopardy. My biggest fear.

A: I am another person with by-polar disorder. My answer to you is no your marriage is not doomed. But it will take a lot of committment from both of you, and especially from you to learn to control the disorder, through a psychiatrist with medication (which is alot of trial and error, and mental, intellectual, and emotion ajustment on your part which takes time) but the right medication can be found to work for you. Plus use talk-therapy with a professional reputable psychologist. And if you have access to a spiritual guidance counsellor, use that too for yourself, and for your marriage. Your spouse will also need help to know how to help and how to deal with it in a possitive way.
I can promise you, that if you both are willing to invest in your relationship and support each other through this, you will come out stronger, more compassionate, and more whole, than you were before. Life can be wonderful again. I promise.

Q: How do I deal with a family member recently diagonsed with bipolar 2?
A few days ago I found out that my sister who is 23 has officially been diagonsed with bipolar 2 dissorder. She’s joked for a couple years about it but nothing really came from it. She finally had a break down last week and went to the ER for physical symptoms. From there she was admitted to a psych ward. We get to talk to her for a little while each day but I’m having trouble dealing with this. I’m 18 years old, and someone who worries constently so this really isn’t helping. I have no idea how I can start dealing with this and what I can do to try and help. I should add that my sister is in California and we are on the other side of the country in Pennsylvania. Any advice you can give me I will be greatful for. Thanks.

A: It is tough to have a close family member suffering from an illness and it can be uniquely difficult in the case of mental illness. My father has had bipolar disorder for much of his life and for a very long time he was not diagnosed. So, your sister is lucky to be on the road to managing her illness and you should be thankful for that, at least. Although it will probably take quite a while before she finds a treatment system that works for her (medication, counselling, etc.), you should know that you can still have a close and happy relationship with her. You should also know that you do not need to worry for her. You should be concerned for her well-being, of course, but if you feel overly worried or overwhelmed, you should perhaps see a doctor. Personally, I thought for years that it was normal to worry constantly, but it isn’t. If anxiety is regularly interfering with your life, you should seek some medical guidance of your own.

Q: Can someone that is Bipolar type 2 have mixed episodes?
I’ve received mixed answers. I’ve heard that they can’t, that only people with Bipolar type I can have mixed episodes. However, last I heard I was Bipolar Type 2, but I’m currently experiencing a mixed episode. I’m trying to get opinions before I contact my psychiatrist to ask her what my diagnosis REALLY is.

A: Yes Bipolar II can have mixed episodes. More often they are mixed episodes of depression.

The basic differences between II & I is the severity of the disease, and the length of the cycles. Bipolar II’s are known as rapid cycler’s which can have cycles within a short period of time, even within the same day, they have more tendencies to be depressed rather than hypomanic.
BPII’s also don’t have the “true” manic episodes that last a week or longer. Rather it’s termed hypomania. To meet criteria in DSM-IV it has to last at least 4 days. Where the mania has to last a minimum of a week. While BPI’s do have more of the mixed episodes that doesn’t rule out BPII’s.

When people think of BP’s they think of those who hide out in thier rooms for months at a time then come out and are all over the place, talking, spending money, etc. The BPII”s are harder to diagnoses because the swings are so rapid and are mixed with periods of time when they function normally. They often don’t seek treatment until they are hitting the more BPI like attributes, or extremes. And if they are not seen by a professional familiar with the disease, all the spectrums, and new break throughs in research, they are often misdiagnosed. (This was the case with both myself and my son)

Bipolar is a progressive disease. Meaning untreated, it can start out as BPII and move into BPI which is the more aggressive part of the disease including the physchotic feature not associated with the BPII’s.

There are many spectrums of Bipolar. There is new research out monthly opening up more and more of the unique differences between them all.

To sum it up, BPI and BPII are not the only Bipolars.

However it is imperative if you are suffering and can recognize mixed episodes you discuss it with your doctor as soon as possible. Often medications need to be tweaked or added. Remember the disease is progressive.

Thankfully, as has been my own personal experience, my son’s and those I work with as a support team and advocate, there are many new medications or combos, and other tools/treatments out today that are very effective and have less side effects than the old standby’s most people use or know about.

Q: What sort of medication will I be put on for Bipolar 2?
I have been diagnosed with Bipolar affective disorder type 2 with rapid cycling…I’m still trying to get my head around having a label for why my life/mood has been screwed up for years.

What type of medication will they put me on? I’m not getting seen till the end of June and I want to read up on medications. I’m guessing I will be put on an anti-depressant and a mood stabiliser.

I’m 20 by the way.

A: Probably Lithium, for the mood stabiliser and any ones guess for the anti depressant.Lithium is an older type of anti psychotic, but it does give very good results.
You may find you have to juggle around until you and your gp & cpn, get the doses to suit.
My advice is to not read up too much on these drugs as the possible side effects can be off putting, bear in ,mind only a tiny % of people get the side effects mentioned!
)

Q: what is the impact of exercise on a person with Bipolar 2 disorder?
what is the impact of exercise on a person with Bipolar 2 disorder?
Can exercise bring down the symptoms of Bipolar 2 disorder?

A: I have BPII, like you. My doc has been telling me for years to exerise regularly. When I do exercise I feel better, even if temporarily. If I’m a little down, 30 min on a stationary bike does wonders. I don’t know from experience the long term effect, I can’t stick to anything.

Q: Can I pass my bipolar type 2 onto my children?
I have bipolar type 2. I am wanting to know if it is possible to pass the bipolar onto my children. I am not wanting children as yet as the timing with my treatment (medications etc) is not right but I am just curious to know if it will/can be passed on.

A: “Bipolar disorder tends to run in families, so researchers are looking for genes that may increase a person’s chance of developing the illness”

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/bipolar-disorder/complete-index.shtml

Q: how is erotomania in bipolar 2 with obsesion about 1 person folowed bydepresion diferent from schizoid?
personality disorder with erotomania and no interest in people. the mania is not nymphomania that involves lots of people. i get obsesion with 1 person followed by depression if i fail with that obsesion. i never have interest in people except with the obssession. is this schizoid or bipolar 2?

A: Bipolar or more likely OCD. Bipolar is ups and downs or in other words… sometimes you are and sometimes you aren’t. Schizoid PD is consistant. If you were schizoid you would not develop obsessions with other people ever.

Q: I was recently diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder 2 and need advice.?
Recently I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder 2. My family and friends know nothing about my disorder. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to tell them? It might sound ridiculous but it is hard for me to admit to anyone about my disorder (to people I know). If anyone can suggest any ways to ease my communication with family and friends I would be extremely grateful.

A: That can be really hard…I’ve been hospitalized for my Bipolar 2 and my family still doesn’t understand it. They admit that they don’t get it, but they don’t do anything to research or find anything out.

I recommend the book ‘Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder’ and going through it with them.
I don’t know how to bring it up with them, besides just going to the person you trust the most and confiding in them and deciding where to go from there.

Do some research yourself so that you can answer questions and explain to them what the disorder involves. Talk to your doctor– he should be more than willing to set up an appointment with some close family members. You’ll need a support network.

You don’t need to go in detail with your friends right now. Do confide in your close friends because, again, you’ll need a support network.
Good luck

Q: If you’re bipolar and have episodes about 2 weeks before your period, could it be peri-menopause?
I seem to have episodes of crying and depression 2 weeks before my period every month. I’m bipolar and know that episodes are part of my life but I’m sick of these whimpering, crying, depressed, suicidal times of the month. Yes, I said suicidal. Is there a blood test that can tell me if I’m going into menopause? Help! Anyone out there like me?

A: Yeah, it’s possible. In fact, I’ve known women who have been told they’re bipolar when in fact it was just the changes in ovarian hormones that were causing it. (I’m not saying that’s your situation, though). For example, I’m very even-tempered, but after I had my ovaries removed, my moods rose and fell in ways directly related to my estrogen and progesterone dosages, on a daily basis. 2 weeks before your period starts, typically, you’ll be ovulating and your estrogen will be at its highest point, while your progesterone is at its lowest point, and has been so for two weeks. See here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:MenstrualCycle2.png

Alternately, you might have just ovulated–you can see in the chart how after ovulations, estrogen plumets. In my experience, a plumeting estrogen sends me into a huge depression. Rising progesterone does the same. So I can’t tell you exactly what’s going on in your brain, but you CAN buy an ovulation kit at a pharmacy, and/or you could track your ovulation via one of the many on-line ovulation trackers. You could also go to a gynecologist or perhaps your psychiatrist and get your estrogen and progesterone tested several times in one month, and see what the levels are to see what’s going on to cause the suicidal times. However, I’ve not found docs to be terribly interested in doing such a thing–they tend to wash their hands of women’s hormonal issues. So instead, you could avoid all the testing by starting to take birth control pills, which will keep your hormones at an even level for most of the month, which will hopefully eliminate that depressed time. Mircette is a good option for those with low estrogen, as it gives you estrogen almost daily (without the usual “off” week). Another option would be Lybrel, which gives you the same dosage every day, and stops your periods, no time off at all. A lot of perimenopausal women take birth control to avoid the problems of perimenopause, too.

Q: Bipolar 2 can energy levels ever come back?
Hey all I’ve had Bipolar 2 for 3 years while I’m stable now and on lithium slow release, I just feel tired and un motivated.

Im wondering if others have got back to the way the used to feel prior to having bipolar, I have tried anti depressants with little success.

Maybe some ppl have some other alternatives that have worked for them.

I would love to hear your stories?

Thanks Guys.

A: I am in a group therapy this week with a specialist in the Bipolar world so I think this guy knows his stuff. See his web site under resources.

http://www.stanabramskimd.com

My understanding is that this tiredness should go away. If not, they suggested in group that the dose might need to be reduced.

Also, they mentioned you need to have your blood levels checked every 3 months when on lithium to make sure the level is okay. Changing salt levels in your diet can change how lithium reacts causing you to retain or lose lithium based on too much or too little salt.

Some of the people have used Depakote (Valproate) or Seroquel. I was recommended to use Neurontin (which I like) but Pfizer has been in a lawsuit for promoting as a bipolar drug. It is supposed to be for nerve issues and nerve pain and can have some side effects I understand.

One more thing…a lot of people who have depression and bipolar seem to go to psychiatrists who specialize in “medicine management”. All they do is work with figuring out the right medicine balance. It can be tough to manage all these drugs so going to your GP may not be the answer. Don’t know if you go to a med manager, but this is particulary helpful if you have other issues. For example, I can’t use Lithium because I am hypothyroid. A regular doc might not have been tuned in to that.

Good luck. Getting meds figured out is a hassle I know.

Q: can someone describe bipolar 2 with borderline personality?
My psychiatrist told me that he thinks i am bipolar 2 with a borderline personality can someone tell me what this means?

A: Actually unlike what the previous answerer stated it is very common to have both Bipolar AND Borderline. Bipolar is the chemical component of the disorder….. the chemicals in the brain change causing mania and depression. Borderline is the thought/behavior component if you have both. Personality disorders (like Borderline) are thoughts and behaviors that have been learned over time usually to cope with life events. It is very possible and common for someone with the chemical imbalance of Bipolar to also have had a rotten childhood that resulted in the learned behavior typified as Borderline. Most people I know with Bipolar (and I am in a huge network) have Bipolar AND…… I have Bipolar and DID NOS and PTSD and Schizoid. Bipolar is also common with OCD, Panic Disorder or any of the many personality disorders. Bipolar and Borderline have a different basis for disorder….. like someone with diabetes (a chemical disorder) can also have the flu (a virus).

So what it means is that your mood swings are caused by chemical changes in your brain and your behaviors (anger, self harm, eating disorder, fear of abandonment, lack of sense of self) are learned thoughts and behaviors probably caused by something in your life as you were growing up.

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