Bipolar disorder is a complicated mental illness. As if just dealing with bipolar isn't enough the experts in the mental health field have added classes of bipolar for those of us affected by bipolar whether it's personally or through a loved one.
Bipolar I :
This category is usually referred to as the worst of the bipolar classifications. The characteristics of Bipolar I are defined by one or more mixed episodes of mania, followed by sever depression. The difference between bipolar I mania and that of bipolar II is the severity of the mania and the depression. The mania is often accompanied with psychotic behaviors (not found by definition in bipolar II) such as: hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, psychosis and negativity.
Bipolar II:
Essentially bipolar II is categorized as one or more depressive episodes, followed by hypomania, not mania. Hypomania simply put means that though they have the same symptoms as mania, they are to a lesser degree and don't include psychotic behaviors as found in bipolar I.
Cyclothymia:
This is broken down into a long term illness, one that is much more rapid in the cycling. It also means that the mania or hypomania does not include the psychotic behavior, though it can be severe and the depression doesn't include suicidal thoughts, though it can also be severe. Cyclothymic Disorder means simply that the person is never quite symptom free from either the mania or depression, and if they are, they will swing back to one within two months.
As more is learned about bipolar, more subclassifications are making their way out to the public.
***The information provided above is meant to inform, not diagnosis. If you have questions as the whether you may have bipolar, seek the advice a medical professional, they are qualified to treat and diagnose. ****
Pathway's of Life
There is always more than one and neither is ever clear.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
What is dual diagnosis?
Dual Diagnosis is a medical term used to categorize a person that suffers from both a mental disorder or illness and a dependency such as alcohol or drug abuse.
It is common to find that a person who suffers from a mental disorder such as bipolar, also has a problem with drinking or drugs or vice-versa. Both disorders can lead to emotional, financial and relationship problems on their own, combing the two can be twice as difficult.
Most people who suffer from a dual diagnosis are often diagnosed with either the mental illness or a substance abuse problem first and the other is discovered later.
For example, alcohol abuse can make if very difficult to medically treat the symptoms of bipolar disorder. The alcohol is a self-medication that allows the individual to feel temporary relief from effects of bipolar disorder. This fix is only temporary and because of that, the individual needs the constant medication that alcohol offers, which leads to abuse. It is in this way that someone diagnosed with bipolar disorder, who has no prior history of a drinking problem can develop one.