Types of Bipolar Disorder: Understanding the Differences and Similarities Between the 3 Types

Bipolar disorder looks different for each person with the condition. In the United States, around 2.8% of adults have had some form of this disorder in the last year. That’s approximately 28,896 people in Delaware alone, which is over 3 times the population of Georgetown. With those diagnoses come many questions and potentially internalized stigma on what it means. 

At SUN Behavioral Health Delaware, we aim to help our patients understand their diagnoses compassionately, and that learning to manage this condition is possible. Today, we are going to discuss the 3 different types of bipolar disorder that someone might be diagnosed with. 

Bipolar disorder is a type of mental health condition that is defined as having shifting moods, energy, concentration, and activity levels. It is made up of two episodes known as manic and depressive. Manic episodes are described as “up” and come with symptoms such as euphoria, irritability, and energy. Manic episodes can also have less severe periods, known as hypomania. On the other end of the spectrum are depressive episodes, which are considered “down.” The symptoms of these episodes include extreme sadness, hopelessness, and indifference. 

The three main types of bipolar disorder are bipolar I, bipolar II, and cyclothymic disorder. Bipolar I and II are the most common types someone will be diagnosed with. In some cases, a person may have signs of bipolar disorder, such as shifting moods, manic episodes, and depressive episodes, but they do not fit any of these types. In this case, they will be diagnosed with an unspecified bipolar disorder. 

The most significant difference between the different types of bipolar disorders is the intensity and how long they last. Bipolar I is the most severe form, while cyclothymic is the least. 

The primary focus of a bipolar I disorder diagnosis is the presence of severe mania symptoms. For most people with this condition, they will also have episodes of depression. However, depression symptoms are not a requirement for this diagnosis. 

The manic episodes someone with bipolar I experience need to exist every day, for most of the day, for a minimum of 7 days, or they need to be severe enough that hospitalization is required for stabilization. Suppose someone is experiencing mania severe enough for stabilization. In that case, it is typically automatically considered bipolar disorder type I regardless of whether the person has experienced symptoms of depression. 

Depressive symptoms or episodes that include both depression and mania typically last a minimum of 2 weeks. If someone has 4 or more episodes of depression or mania in 1 year, that’s known as “rapid cycling,” which is also a defining characteristic of bipolar I. 

Bipolar II is similar to bipolar I in that it involves a cycling of mania and depression. However, the mania episodes of bipolar II are less severe, also known as hypomania. Those with bipolar II will often have these hypomanic episodes less frequently than those with bipolar I. 

The most common things those with bipolar II will experience are depressive symptoms and episodes. These can also be severe and lead to hospitalization in some cases.

Because depression is the most prevalent symptom of bipolar II disorder, it’s not uncommon for people to be erroneously diagnosed with major depressive disorder prior to receiving a bipolar diagnosis.

Cyclothymic disorder is the rarest and least extreme of the bipolar disorder types. This doesn’t mean it still doesn’t impact the lives of the people with it. As with all bipolar disorders, someone with this condition will have noticeable shifts in mood, but there will also be moments when they will feel okay and stable. However, at a moment’s notice, mood shifts associated with cyclothymic disorder will create a significant disturbance and make people feel like they will never know how they are going to feel on any given day. 

Since it is the least severe type of bipolar disorder, the shifts in mood that someone with cyclothymic disorder will appear to fall under the categories of hypomania and depression. However, these symptoms do not typically last long enough to qualify as episodes, which would result in a bipolar II diagnosis if they did. 

The hypomanic symptoms they usually have are euphoria, talking more than usual, racing thoughts, and an inability to concentrate. The depression symptoms might include irritability, tearfulness, feelings of worthlessness, and fatigue. Thoughts of suicide are also possible for someone with cyclothymic disorder. 

Regardless of the type you have recently been diagnosed with, bipolar disorder often makes living life feel impossible. Usually, symptoms will feel unpredictable. You might feel like you’re unable to plan for anything, let alone function in your day-to-day responsibilities. This condition might make it feel like your loved ones don’t understand or create relationship concerns because of the symptoms you experience. Often, people feel alone, and nobody truly gets what they are going through. 

With that said, treatment for bipolar disorder has helped hundreds of people find a sense of control and healing. You will gain the tools necessary to live a healthy and safe life through a combination of medications and therapies, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT teaches skills and techniques that help identify unhealthy or unhelpful thoughts and replace them with healthier and helpful ones. This type of therapy will also enable you to manage potential triggers and stress. 

At SUN Behavioral Health Delaware, we solve unmet needs for adolescents and adults with bipolar disorder in the Georgetown area. Different types of bipolar disorder often require different levels of care to treat. Our no-cost care assessments enable us to work directly with you and your doctor to determine which treatment plan best suits your needs. To schedule an appointment or learn more about our bipolar disorder treatment options, contact us at 302-604-5600 today.