What Is Bipolar Disorder?
Uzi Ben-Ami, Ph..D. received his education at the University of Maryland. He is a licensed psychologist in Maryland and Washington D.C. His private practice is in Rockville, Maryland. In his practice he works with individuals of various ages on numerous challenges including management of trauma and PTSD, relationship issues, Anxiety, Depression management, and Bipolar Disorder,
As best we understand Bipolar Disorder it is a brain disorder that results in unusual changes in activity levels, energy, mood, and the capacity to execute everyday tasks. As the name of the disorder implies, Bipolar Disorder involves mood swings ranging from a period or periods of intense energy and sometimes elated mood and behavior, referred to as manic episodes, to periods of sadness and low vitality, known as depressive episodes. Bipolar Disorder is identified by four different types. Mild manic periods are referred to as hypomanic episodes. Bipolar I Disorder, Bipolar II Disorder, cyclothymic disorder, also known as cyclothymia, and other unspecified Bipolar are the four main categories of the disorder. These are distinguished from one another mainly by the severity of the manic and the depressive episodes.
Bipolar I Disorder: This category is characterized by manic episodes lasting for seven days or more, or by showing manic symptoms that are extremely severe, sometimes to the point of requiring immediate hospital attention. While depressive episodes often last for at least two weeks, episodes of mixed moods may also be seen, at different length and severity..
Bipolar II Disorder: Bipolar II disorder is characterized by depressive and (milder than Bipolar) I Hypomanic episodes.
Cyclothymic Disorder: While it lasts for a minimum of 1 year in children and adolescents, Cyclothymia is characterized by periods of mild Hypomanic to mild depressive episodes lasting for a minimum of two years.
Other Specified and Unspecified Disorders: This category is characterized by Bipolar Disorder symptoms that do not fit in any of the categories listed above.
On average, people with bipolar disorder begin to show symptoms at the age of 18-25.
As best we understand Bipolar Disorder it is a brain disorder that results in unusual changes in activity levels, energy, mood, and the capacity to execute everyday tasks. As the name of the disorder implies, Bipolar Disorder involves mood swings ranging from a period or periods of intense energy and sometimes elated mood and behavior, referred to as manic episodes, to periods of sadness and low vitality, known as depressive episodes. Bipolar Disorder is identified by four different types. Mild manic periods are referred to as hypomanic episodes. Bipolar I Disorder, Bipolar II Disorder, cyclothymic disorder, also known as cyclothymia, and other unspecified Bipolar are the four main categories of the disorder. These are distinguished from one another mainly by the severity of the manic and the depressive episodes.
Bipolar I Disorder: This category is characterized by manic episodes lasting for seven days or more, or by showing manic symptoms that are extremely severe, sometimes to the point of requiring immediate hospital attention. While depressive episodes often last for at least two weeks, episodes of mixed moods may also be seen, at different length and severity..
Bipolar II Disorder: Bipolar II disorder is characterized by depressive and (milder than Bipolar) I Hypomanic episodes.
Cyclothymic Disorder: While it lasts for a minimum of 1 year in children and adolescents, Cyclothymia is characterized by periods of mild Hypomanic to mild depressive episodes lasting for a minimum of two years.
Other Specified and Unspecified Disorders: This category is characterized by Bipolar Disorder symptoms that do not fit in any of the categories listed above.
On average, people with bipolar disorder begin to show symptoms at the age of 18-25.
