Types of Bipolar Disorder: How Many Are There?

As you take the initiative to know more about your mental health condition, it helps to understand its different types for a more holistic understanding. 

Bipolar disorder is a complex mental condition that severely impacts your mood, energy, and ability to function. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) distinguishes bipolar disorder into different types as per each type’s presence, frequency, and intensity of mood episodes. 

Also read: What is Bipolar Disorder?

What happens in bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder consists of distinct cycling between the following: 

Manic: You may feel extremely happy and energised or unusually angry or irritable during a manic episode.

Hypomanic: You may experience the symptoms of a manic episode less severely in a hypomanic episode.

Depressive: You may feel intense sadness, despair, and fatigue, and have difficulty concentrating in a depressive episode.

Related: Coping with Manic Episodes in Bipolar Disorder

Before understanding the types of bipolar disorder, remember that every individual experiences bipolar disorder symptoms in a different way. You can refer to this article to get an overview of the different types of bipolar disorder. Alternatively, you can consider talking to a mental health coach to discuss your symptoms and the treatment plan that can work for you. 

Types of bipolar disorder

Bipolar I disorder

Bipolar I disorder may cause you to experience one or more manic episodes. They usually last for at least seven days. You may feel like being on top of the world or extremely irritated with everything.

While there can be a possibility of depressive episodes in this type, it is not necessarily that everyone experiences its symptoms. 

As the changes in your mood can be prominent, the changes can be noticed by your friends, family, and colleagues. If you’re in distress and unable to cope, the symptoms can aggravate and impact your personal and work relationships and productivity levels. Know that talking to a trustworthy companion in times like these can help get you the care and support you need.

Related: What is it like Living with Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar II disorder 

Bipolar disorder II may cause you to experience hypomanic and depressive episodes as opposed to manic episodes. It is often misunderstood as a milder form of bipolar I disorder. 

You may consider consulting a mental health professional after your first depressive disorder, as it may cause you to feel extreme sadness out of nowhere. The symptoms of hypomania may feel okay to cope with and even aid in academic or work performance.  

Past research suggests that bipolar II disorder can lead to other mental health conditions like anxiety disorder or substance abuse disorder. These can exacerbate your symptoms of depressive and hypomanic episodes.

Also read: How to Know if Someone Has Bipolar Disorder?

Cyclothymic disorder

Cyclothymic disorder or cyclothymia may cause you to experience “mood swings” oscillating from depressive to hypomanic symptoms in shorter, alternating time durations. The symptoms of this disorder are milder as compared to the other types.

However, it is still essential to seek the right help and treatment from a mental health practitioner on this. Along with interfering with your daily life, these symptoms also have a chance to develop into bipolar I or bipolar II disorder over time. 

Related: Can I Get Bipolar Disorder Later in Life?

Bottom line

While understanding the common types, also keep in mind that there are other unspecified and related types of bipolar disorder. These don’t fit into any particular category. You can consider discussing more about them with your mental health practitioner. 

Most bipolar disorders are treated by talk therapy and medication. Besides psycho-educating yourself about your or a loved one’s mental condition, having an open and genuine conversation about the symptoms and your experience is also important to get the right support and treatment we all deserve.