Bipolar 1 Vs. 2: Facts From A Bipolar Disorder Psychiatrist

Bipolar Disorder is a complex mental health condition that necessitates treatment from a qualified bipolar disorder psychiatrist as well as therapists. With the right combination of therapy, medication, and lifestyle adjustments, many individuals with bipolar disorder can lead stable, fulfilling lives, effectively managing their symptoms and achieving long-term wellness. Let’s take a look at the two most commonly diagnosed forms of bipolar disorder.

Bipolar 1

​In order to be diagnosed with Bipolar 1, a patient must have experienced at least one manic episode lasting for at least seven days, unless hospitalization is required. Manic episodes can be quite frightening and include symptoms such as racing thoughts, sleep deprivation, risky behavior and impulsivity. The mania you experience must be severe enough to cause impairment in your daily functioning.
 
Depressive episodes also are quite common, and this disorder used to be called manic depression. However, while not all patients experience a major depressive episode (lasting at least two weeks), many will. In general, Bipolar 1 is considered the most severe and disruptive of these two main types.

Bipolar II

​While Bipolar II tends to be less severe, it still can disrupt your daily life and inhibit you from being able to handle work, school and other obligations, as well as increasing difficulties in your relationships with friends and family.
 
For diagnosis, a person with Bipolar II must have experienced at least one hypomanic episode. This is a less severe manic episode than one experiences with Bipolar I and while the symptoms are similar, they are less severe.
 
While a major depressive episode is not required for Bipolar I diagnosis, this criteria is required for Bipolar II. Depression tends to be more persistent with Bipolar II than with Bipolar I. The mania might be less severe with Bipolar II, but the depression can be equal to or more intense than one experiences with Bipolar I.
 
You often hear people say that Bipolar II is a milder form of the disease, but as a psychiatrist for bipolar disorder, I find that the bouts of depression experienced by Bipolar II patients can be just as debilitating as the intense mania of Bipolar I. Neither disease is easy to handle, and you definitely should not try to self-medicate or self-treat. Professional help truly can guide you to a better mental state that allows you to enjoy an easier and happier life.

Additional Bipolar Diagnosis

Did you know that there are additional types of bipolar disorder? While Bipolar 1 and Bipolar 2 are fairly well-known terms, there are other types, and each is categorized by variations in mood episodes, severity, and duration. Let’s take a look at some of the symptoms of these additional manifestations of bipolar disorder.
 

• Cyclothymic Disorder (Cyclothymia): Marked by periods of hypomanic symptoms and periods of depressive symptoms lasting at least two years (one year in children and adolescents) without meeting the criteria for a full manic or depressive episode.
  
• Bipolar Disorder, Unspecified: This diagnosis is used when a person has symptoms of bipolar disorder that do not fit clearly into the categories of Bipolar I, Bipolar II, or cyclothymic disorder.
  
• Bipolar Disorder Due to Another Medical Condition: Mood disturbances that resemble bipolar symptoms but are caused by a medical condition, such as multiple sclerosis or stroke.
  
• This is why it’s crucial to work with a bipolar psychiatrist, as opposed to just working with a psychologist. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor, and they can assess your overall health and determine if your bipolar symptoms are caused by a medical condition or perhaps any medications you are taking.
  
• Substance/Medication-Induced Bipolar Disorder: Bipolar symptoms (mania, hypomania, or depression) triggered by substance use, medication, or withdrawal from a substance. In this case, working with an addiction psychiatrist can help you manage your substance use disorder, as well as any lingering bipolar symptoms after you’ve completed withdrawal and are in recovery. 

Co-Occurring Disorders & Misdiagnosis

In some cases, the symptoms you experience may be due to another mental health condition. Bipolar disorder can be misdiagnosed due to overlapping symptoms, particularly when it comes to mood changes and emotional dysregulation.
 
For instance, Borderline Personality Disorder can be confused with bipolar disorder due to the rapid mood shifts, emotional instability and impulsivity often seen with borderline patients. Certain symptoms of ADHD and PTSD also might be mistaken for bipolar disorder.
 
Of course, I am often asked how often does ADHD co-occur with bipolar disorder? It’s quite common for people with bipolar disorder to also have ADHD. Bipolar patients also might suffer from PTSD, anxiety, OCD or other disorders. Co-occurring disorders are very common, and your bipolar disorder psychiatrist should provide you with a comprehensive diagnosis that addresses all of your symptoms and disorders.

When Should You Seek Treatment?

Bipolar disorder won’t simply go away on its own, you will need to create a treatment plan that helps you manage symptoms. As a bipolar disorder psychiatrist, I recommend seeking psychiatric treatment if you experience any symptoms that interfere with daily life functioning.
 
This is advice I would give to any patient, regardless of their mental health condition. Whether you suffer from anxiety or ADHD, bipolar disorder, depression or PTSD, if these conditions are reducing your enjoyment of life and making it difficult to manage work and school commitments or relationships, please seek treatment.
 
Bipolar disorder is treatable, and there is hope for those suffering from any type of this disorder. A combination of therapy, medications and self-help strategies can make life much easier and even help you avoid the deep depression and manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder.
 
To treat this disorder, you will want to work with a psychiatrist for bipolar disorder as well as a psychologist or therapist that specializes in this disease. A psychiatrist can provide you with a comprehensive diagnosis as well as prescribe medication. A psychologist or therapist cannot prescribe medicines, but they can provide you with different types of beneficial therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectal behavior therapy.
 
In addition, some lifestyle changes have been shown to reduce the severity of symptoms. Maintaining a regular sleep schedule, eating a balanced diet and ensuring that you have daily exercise can help regulate your mood and reduce stress. Stress is a very common trigger for mood disruption, and proper sleep and exercise can be hugely beneficial.
 
As a psychiatrist for bipolar disorder, I recommend avoiding alcohol, recreational drugs and even caffeine as these can affect mood and interfere with the bipolar medications you are taking. As we meet for your initial diagnosis, be sure to tell me about all of the prescribed medications you take as well as supplements and be honest about your alcohol and drug use.
 
Remember, I am here to help you, not to judge you. I know that many individuals with bipolar disorder and other mental illnesses often self-medicate as the symptoms of these diseases can be overwhelming. However, our goal with treatment is to ensure that you are as healthy as possible so it’s best to work toward eliminating any risky behaviors from your daily routine.
 
Adding daily meditation and activities such as yoga or mindfulness exercises also can be very beneficial. It’s also smart to keep a mood journal and document how you are feeling from day to day, as this can help identify mood triggers and help you better manage symptoms.

Get Started With Treatment Today!

If you are struggling with symptoms of bipolar disorder or any mental health condition, seeking treatment from a local psychiatrist can improve your life drastically. In addition to serving as a bipolar disorder psychiatrist, I also work as an adult ADHD psychiatrist, anxiety psychiatrist, PTSD psychiatrist and depression psychiatrist. I also can treat additional disorders including OCD, eating disorders, substance use disorders and much more. I work as a psychiatrist in Thousand Oaks, serving clients throughout the LA metro area and Ventura County.