There are two types ofbipolar disorderbipolar 1 disorder and bipolar 2 disorder.
Bipolar 1 disorder is characterized by moods vacillating between depression and mania.
Depression is the predominant symptom and the mood swings are less severe with bipolar 2 disorder.
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Hypomania
Along with depression, another distinguishing symptom of bipolar 2 disorder is hypomania.
A person with bipolar 2 disorder experiences hypomania rather than fullmanic episodeslike people with bipolar 1 disorder.
Symptoms of mania and hypomania can include:
What does bipolar 2 disorder feel like?
Hypomania episodes may feel better than good but depressive episodes tend to be more frequent.
There may also be periods with no symptoms in between episodes.
A manic episode may involve psychosis, which can include hallucinations or delusions.
During mania, a person may need hospital care.
Depression is often the dominant mood.
When Do Bipolar Disorder Symptoms Usually Start?
Who Is at Risk for Bipolar bang out 2 Disorder?
There are several factors that can contribute to someone having the disorder.
Genetics:Bipolar disorder ishighly genetic.
Having a family history of bipolar disorder also is a strong predictor of developing it.
However, more research and understanding are needed.
Environmental factors:Stress and traumatic events may contribute to triggering bipolar disorder in people with a genetic predisposition.
Symptoms may also appear during pregnancy, after childbirth.
More research is needed to understand the connection between genetics and environmental factors and how they might interact.
Bipolar disorder is highly inheritable, with research suggesting genetics accounts for 60%80% of the risk.
Receiving a correct diagnosis is very important to get the right treatment plan and medications.
When bipolar disorder is misdiagnosed as depression, for example, antidepressants alone may be prescribed.
These may not adequately treat the mood symptoms and may actually worsen the overall course of the illness.
Hypomania includes persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable moods and increased energy.
The depression that is part of this illness can be quite severe and persistent.
A Word From Verywell
Learning you have bipolar disorder can be scary and overwhelming.
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