This article is not meant to be used for diagnosing, this is only meant to provide educational value.
BIPOLAR 1:
- Characterized by at least one manic (emotional highs) episode that lasts for at least seven days, or manic symptoms severe enough to require immediate hospitalization.
- Manic episodes may include symptoms such as elevated mood, increased energy, impulsivity, racing thoughts, decreased need for sleep, and grandiosity.
- A person with Bipolar 1 may or may not experience depressive episodes, which involve persistent feelings of sadness, loss of interest, changes in appetite or sleep, and low energy.
- Can also involve mixed episodes, where symptoms of mania and depression occur simultaneously or rapidly alternate.
- The presence of manic episodes is a defining feature of Bipolar 1.
BIPOLAR 2:
- Characterized by recurrent episodes of major depression and hypomania (less severe emotional highs than mania).
- Hypomania is a milder form of mania, characterized by a distinct period of elevated mood, increased energy, and heightened productivity, lasting at least four consecutive days.
- Hypomanic episodes are less severe than manic episodes and do not typically require hospitalization.
- Individuals with Bipolar 2 may experience depressive episodes similar to those in Bipolar 1, including persistent feelings of sadness, loss of interest, changes in appetite or sleep, and low energy.
- Unlike Bipolar 1, Bipolar 2 does not involve full-blown manic episodes.
Summary:
In summary, the main distinction between Bipolar 1 and Bipolar 2 lies in the severity and duration of manic episodes. Bipolar 1 is characterized by at least one manic episode, which can be intense and may require hospitalization. Bipolar 2 involves hypomanic episodes, which are less severe, and recurrent episodes of major depression.
It's important to note that both types of bipolar disorder require professional diagnosis and treatment by a mental health professional.
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