What is the difference between bipolar I and bipolar II?

The key difference between Bipolar I and Bipolar II is that Bipolar II has hypomanic but not manic episodes. Also, while those with Bipolar I disorder may experience additional psychotic symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations, Bipolar II by definition cannot have psychotic features.

Bipolar I

Bipolar I disorder encompasses the classic definition of manic-depressive disorder and requires that the patient has had a manic episode to confirm the diagnosis.6

DSM-IV-TR diagnostic criteria for bipolar I disorder include:

The patient is or was recently in a manic episode

The patient has had at least one previous major depressive episode, manic episode, or mixed episode

The mood episodes mentioned in 1 and 2 are not better accounted for by schizoaffective disorder and are not superimposed on schizophrenia, schizophreniform disorder, delusional disorder, or psychotic disorder not otherwise specified

Bipolar II

Bipolar II disorder comprises recurrent major depressive episodes and hypomanic episodes.42

DSM-IV-TR diagnostic criteria for bipolar II disorder include:

One or more major depressive episodes

At least one hypomanic episode

The patient has never had a manic or mixed episode

The mood episodes mentioned in 1 and 2 are not better accounted for by schizoaffective disorder and are not superimposed on schizophrenia, schizophreniform disorder, delusional disorder, or psychotic disorder not otherwise specified

The symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning

Bipolar 1 is the traditional Bipolar where you have a depressed phase lasting about 4 months a normal period and then a Manic phase that is quite pronounced-ecstatic and over the top-it can last anywhere from several weeks to several months.

In Bipolar 2 instead of a manic phase there is a lesser manic phase called hypomanic. This is a high phase but not as severe as full blown manic phase. Sometimes a person can Bipolar 2 and be kicked into a full manic phase through substance abuse or high stress in their lives.

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Basically the only difference is Bipolar I Disorder involves full manic or mixed episodes. Bipolar II Disorder only includes hypomanic episodes which have the same symptoms, but are not as severe and incapacitating as, manic episodes. The vast majority of people with both bipolar I and bipolar II will also have major depressive episodes.

Hi Breene, Yes, you are correct, there is a difference! Your doctor should have told you which you have when they diagnosed you. I have II myself, and I could talk about this subject endlessly! Therefore, I’m going to give you some well informed web sites. I know it’s not a direct answer, but it WILL GIVE TONS OF INFORMATION which will be VERY HELPFUL FOR YOU! I wish you the best in your doctor finding the right medication combination. BIG HUG :) Deb

p.s. They are in no particular order.

http://www.healingwell.com/depression/

http://www.psychiatry24x7.com/

http://www.psychiatry24x7.com/bgdisplay.jhtml?item...

http://www.moodtracker.com/index.php

http://www.pendulum.org/

http://www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder/default.htm

http://bipolar.about.com/

http://www.angelfire.com/home/bphoenix1/

http://www.psych.org/

American Psychiatric Association

This website is primarily directed at psychiatrists, but it does contain some interesting information on it, such as treatment guidelines, etc.

http://healthyminds.org/

American Psychiatric Association

http://www.dbsalliance.org/index.html

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance

Patient-directed organization focusing on the most prevalent mental illnesses –– depression and bipolar disorder.

http://www.nami.org/

The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill

Advocacy organization for issues related to mental illness

http://www.nmha.org/index.cfm

National Mental Health Organization

Country's (USA) oldest and largest nonprofit organization addressing all aspects of mental health and mental illness.

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/nimhhome/index.cfm

National Institute of Mental Health

NIMH offers a variety of publications and other educational resources to help people with mental disorders, the general public, mental health and health care practitioners, and researchers gain a better understanding of mental illnesses and the research programs of the NIMH

http://www.psycheducation.org/

PsychEducation.org

Site created by a medical doctor about depression and other mental illnesses.

http://arthritis.about.com/cs/disability/a/selfhel...

About.com SSDI Self Help Guide

A guide on applying for Social Security Disability

http://www.ssa.gov/disability/

SSA Disability Page

The main page for Social Security Disability

http://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/index....

Social Security Blue Book

The criteria the SSA uses to determine if you're disabled -- interesting read.

Bipolar II can only be diagnosed if a person has never experienced an episode of mania, however, the person must experience at least on episode of hypomania, which is a less severe form of mania.

there are 3 levels of bipolar. the 3rd is the worst one ever u never know when ure gonna be in a good mood. it can last for months or wks. the second is like in between and im guessing the 1st one is the least one. u have a lot or little? =]

There are several levels to Bi-polar disorder. If you manic alot (don't sleep for days) this would be a level. If you manic and become disoriented or unable to think straight so to speak, that would be another level. If you do the above, plus you think that someone is after you or trying to hurt you or you want to kill yourself, then that is another level. These levels are degrees of the disorder.

Go to www.healthatoz.com for a thorough description of each.

holy ****, my gf was telling me about this. bipolar one is far more severe and the mood changes far worse and frequent than two

from what i have studied and been diagnosed with bi-polar II bi-polar I is having more depressive episodes or having more manic episoides where bi-polar II has frequent ups and down at any given time