It is the most severe form of bipolar disorder. People with Bipolar 1 may even develop psychosis during their manic state ( a state of hyperactivity), in which they have delusions or hallucinations. Often in the depressed state (extreme melancholia), they contemplate suicide, with many attempting it, and much too many succeeding. Women attempt suicide more, but men more often complete the task, as they use more violent means, such as guns.
According to Jan Fawcett, Bernard Golden, and Nancy Rosenfield in their wonderful book, “New Hope for People with Bipolar Disorder” included within the Bipolar 1 type, there is also an alternate form of bipolar called Schizoaffective Bipolar Disorder. That is the individual has schizophrenic symptoms along with their manic and depressive episodes. Often these psychotic delusions and hallucinations continue after the manic or depressive state has past.
A milder form of bipolar than bipolar1, in bipolar 2 disorder, the individual never develops psychosis. The individual experiences hypomania, a milder form of mania, where the person often becomes very creative and productive, functioning with little or no sleep. Often the individual doesn’t want this state to end. But end, it does, and often the individual is thrown into a deep depression. After feeling on top of the world, many are unable to cope with the depths of despair. Often this is when the individual turns to a health care professional, and why it often gets misdiagnosed as unipolar depression.
The mildest form of bipolar depression is where the individual alternates between highs and lows. Fortunately, these people function o.k. in the day to day hustle and bustle of life. Unfortunately, they don’t seek treatment;instead, medicating themselves with alcohol or recreational drugs.
Two subtypes of bipolar are also commonly experienced. In rapid cycling bipolar disorder, the individual’s moods alternate frequently between manic and depressive states within a year. With some people the moods alternates within just a matter of hours. Also there is mixed state bipolar disorder, where some people experience both the manic and depressive states together at the same time.
Some health care professionals also name another subtype, bipolar disorder nos (not otherwise specified). These individuals have both manic and depressive phases, but their symptoms do not meet the criteria for the 3 major types of bipolar disorder.
Also people with bipolar disorder may have other mental illnesses, such as anxiety, ADHD, etc.
Below are 15 symptoms commonly experienced during the manic state and 15 symptoms commonly experieced during the depressive cycle.
Self Portrait of Vincent van Gogh