Bipolar midterm notes

• Bipolar Related Disorders


  Characterized by periods of elevated and depressed mood lasting days or weeks
• Bipolar 1 Disorder


  • Major Depressive episode
  • Manic episode
  • Impairment in functioning
• Manic Episode


  1. Distinct period of abnormally elevated, expansive, or irritable mood

  2. Abnormally and persistently increased activity or energy

  3. Lasts at least 1 week and is present most of the day, nearly every day

  4. Causes significant impairment or requires hospitalization
• Hypomanic Episode


  • Distinct period of abnormally elevated, expansive, or irritable mood
  • Abnormally and persistently increased activity or energy
  • Lasts at least 4 consecutive days
  • Present most of the day, nearly every day
  • Causes a noticeable change in functioning but is not severe enough to cause marked impairment or require hospitalization
• Major Depressive Episode


  • Depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day
  • Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in almost all activities
  • Significant weight loss/gain, insomnia/hypersomnia, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness/excessive guilt, diminished ability to think/concentrate, recurrent thoughts of death
  • Causes clinically significant distress or impairment
• Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)

  Characterized by a depressed mood that continues for at least 2 years in adults or 1 year in children, with no more than 2 months symptom-free
• Bipolar 1 Disorder


  • Characterized by alternations between major depressive episodes and manic episodes
  • At least one lifetime manic episode is required for diagnosis
  • Manic episode not due to medication or medical condition
• Bipolar 2 Disorder


  • Characterized by alternations between major depressive episodes and hypomanic episodes
  • No history of manic episodes
  • At least one hypomanic episode and at least one major depressive episode
  • Causes clinically significant distress or impairment
• Bipolar disorders are characterized by instability of mood