Bipolar disorder is a chronic mental health condition that causes extreme shifts in mood, behavior, and energy. People living with bipolar disorder will experience depressive episodes and episodes of mania. To explain, depressive episodes cause low mood, low energy, and feelings of hopelessness or sadness, while mania causes high levels of energy, impulsivity, and feelings of excitement or anger.
According to the National Institute on Mental Health (NIMH), 2.8% of U.S. adults suffer from bipolar disorder.[1]
There are two types of bipolar disorder, referred to as bipolar 1 and bipolar 2. Bipolar 1 is the more severe version of the disorder, often including more intense symptoms that last longer. While bipolar 2 still causes significant difficulties in one’s daily life, the symptoms are less severe.
Both types of bipolar disorder require professional treatment that involves therapy and medication. However, bipolar II disorder might require hospitalization during severe manic episodes. If you or a loved one suffers from bipolar, Agape Behavioral Healthcare is here to help you recover.
In this article, you will learn:
- What is bipolar I?
- What is bipolar II?
- How are bipolar I and II different?
What is Bipolar 1?
Bipolar 1 is the most severe form of bipolar disorder. It is characterized by experiencing manic episodes that last at least seven days or are severe enough to require hospitalization. If you have bipolar 1, you might experience major depressive episodes or periods of mental stability.
The symptoms of a manic episode among people with bipolar 1 include:[2]
- Extremely high energy
- Irritability or bouts of anger
- Talking very loudly or quickly
- Engaging in impulsive behavior like spending money, having unsafe sex, or substance abuse
- Feeling very happy, overjoyed, or elated
- Having high levels of self-esteem or feeling unstoppable
- Not needing as much sleep as usual
- Being easily distracted or forgetful
- Making grand and unattainable plans
- Experiencing the symptoms of psychosis, such as delusions, hallucinations, a detachment from reality, and disorganized speech
Bipolar 1 is associated with more severe manic episodes. Depressive episodes can occur as well, however, they tend to be less frequent among bipolar 1 than bipolar 2.
What is Bipolar 2?
Bipolar 2 is considered to be the less severe version of bipolar disorder. Instead of experiencing mania, people with this version of the condition experience hypomanic episodes. Hypomanic episodes are considered a milder form of mania.
Additionally, bipolar 2 is associated with more frequent depressive episodes. It is important to note that while bipolar 2 is less severe, it can still lower your quality of life without treatment from a mental health professional.
The symptoms of hypomania include:[2]
- Elevated mood and euphoria
- Increased energy and activity
- Lessened need for sleep
- Racing thoughts and difficulty concentrating
- Impulsivity and reckless behavior
- Being easily frustrated or irritable
- Rapid patterns of speech
- Slight feelings of grandiosity
- Having a flight of ideas and making unattainable goals
- Difficulty with memory and attention
The symptoms of a depressive episode during bipolar 2 include:[2]
- Feeling depressed or down most of the time
- Losing interest in activities or being unable to experience pleasure
- Changes in appetite and sleep
- Persisting insomnia or hypersomnia
- Fatigue and loss of energy
- Difficulty concentrating and making decisions
- Self-harming or suicidal behavior
Depressive episodes typically last for a couple of weeks to a few months, while hypomanic episodes last at least four days.
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What are the Differences Between Bipolar 1 and Bipolar 2?
People with bipolar disorder will go through an in-depth assessment where a mental health professional analyzes symptoms and behavioral patterns to determine if they have bipolar 1 or 2.
The main differences between bipolar 1 and 2 include:
Symptom Severity and Duration
People with bipolar 2 experience mania, while those with bipolar 2 experience hypomania. In other words, manic episodes are more severe among people with bipolar 1. For example, bipolar 1 can lead to psychosis, while those with bipolar 2 do not experience these severe symptoms.
Additionally, depressive episodes tend to be worse and last longer among people with bipolar 2.
Impact on Daily Life
Because of the intensity and length of manic episodes, people with bipolar 1 tend to experience larger impacts on their daily lives. Symptoms like impulsivity, insomnia, and psychosis are more intense and common, which means it becomes harder to complete responsibilities, maintain relationships, and engage in daily activities.
Treatment Methods
Both bipolar 1 and 2 require long-term therapy and daily medication. However, some treatment methods may differ between the disorders.
People with bipolar 1 tend to require higher doses of antipsychotics to prevent severe symptoms of mania. Additionally, therapy for bipolar 1 often focuses on reducing manic symptoms, while bipolar 2 patients focus on minimizing depressive episodes.
It is also important to note that those with bipolar 1 are more likely to need inpatient treatment or hospitalization.[3]
Get Connected to Treatment for Bipolar Disorder
Whether you experience mania or hypomania, professional treatment is necessary to manage bipolar disorder. At Agape Behavioral Healthcare, we can help you manage your mania and depression through in-depth individual therapy, group counseling, and daily medication.
If you are looking to regain control over your life, our mental health treatment program may be right for you. Contact us today for more information on treatment for bipolar 1 and 2 disorders.
References:
- The National Institute on Mental Health (NIMH): Bipolar Disorder
- Mayo Clinic Proceedings: The Diagnosis and Management of Bipolar I and II Disorders: Clinical Practice Update
- Frontiers: Predictors of psychiatric hospitalization among outpatients with bipolar disorder in the real-world clinical setting
