Question:
What other types of bipolar disorder are there, and what are
the distinctions?
Answer:
Effexor uis an antidepressant. You need a mood stabilzer if you do have
Bipolar Affective Disorder. Biploar disorder (Manic - Depressive illness) is classified into Biploar
I disorder and Bipolar II disorder. Bipolar I disorder is diagnosed
based on the presence of atleast one manic episode with or without the
presence of major depressive episode. Bipolar II disorder is diagnosed
by the presence of at least one Hypomanic episode and one or more major
depressive episodes. Manic episode differs from hypomanic episode by the
presence of more sever symptoms for longer duration of time. In Biploar
I disorder, a person can have significant impairment in social,
occupational or other important areas of functioning where as in Bipolar
II disorder, it is unlikely. A. Bipolar 2 disorder involves the cyclical alternation of major
depressive periods with periods of so-called hypomania. Hypomania is a
state of elevated energy and/or mood that falls short of outright mania.
Hypomanic individuals do not become frankly delusional or require
hospitalization.
Typical symptoms during the depressive phase of type 2 bipolar disorder
(or type 1, which involves alternating major depression and mania)
include persistently depressed mood (nearly every day), hopelessness,
poor concentration, increased or decreased appetite, increased or
decreased weight, loss of pleasure in most activities, and poor
concentration. (Bipolar depression more often presents with excessive
eating and sleeping than does unipolar depression.)
The hypomanic individual typically presents with heightened energy,
elevated or irritable mood, increased talkativeness, decreased need for
sleep, increased social or sexual activity, and increased spending or
work-related activities. Some bipolar type 2 individuals get most of
their creative work done in their hypomanic periods, knowing that they
have only so much time before they "crash." Bipolar type 2 disorder is
associated with significant social and vocational disability and an
increased risk of suicide. In addition to type 1 (classical) and type 2
bipolar disorder, some clinicians speak of "type 3" bipolar in relation
to drug- or medication-induced bipolar mood swings. Many such
individuals have a family history of type 1 or 2 bipolar disorder. The
mainstay of treatment for both type 1 and 2 bipolar disorder is the use
of mood stabilizers, such as lithium, valproate and carbamazepine.
Recently, two new agents--lamotrigine and gabapentin--have been used
with some success in bipolar patients. Educative and supportive
counseling is also an integral part of treatment.
