Do I Have Bipolar?

Do I Have Bipolar?
If you have read my other two 2 blogs on Bipolar disorders you should likely already know this answer.

If not, not a problem- I'll recap the major points and introduce new information as well.

Bipolar disorders are complex and the nuances make a big difference. 

To make things more nuanced (and complicated) there's a 3rd bipolar-related disorder called Cyclothymia. 

We can't officially answer the question "do I have bipolar?" unless we also investigate this 3rd disorder.

So, let's dive in.

Bipolar Disorder Therapists in Colorado

Derek Bonds, LPC

Derek Bonds, LPC

Pueblo, Colorado
(719) 696-3439
Sarah Webster, SWC

Sarah Webster, SWC

Colorado
(719) 696-3439
Emily Murphy, LPC

Emily Murphy, LPC

Colorado
(719) 345-2424
Andreea Felea, LPCC

Andreea Felea, LPCC

Colorado
(719) 602-1342
Bonna Machlan, Ph.D., LPC, CAS

Bonna Machlan, Ph.D., LPC, CAS

Colorado
(719) 452-4374
Michele Ames-Hodges, PsyD, LPC

Michele Ames-Hodges, PsyD, LPC

Colorado
(719) 345-2424
Randal Thomas, SWC

Randal Thomas, SWC

Colorado Springs, Colorado
(719) 602-1342
Katherine Miller, LPCC

Katherine Miller, LPCC

Colorado
(720) 449-4121
Sarah Munk, LPC

Sarah Munk, LPC

Colorado
(719) 345-2424
Heather Comensky, LPC

Heather Comensky, LPC

Aurora, Colorado
(720) 449-4121

Bipolar and Depression

A key feature in telling if you have bipolar is meeting the criteria for Major Depressive Disorder.

This is one thing that makes bipolar disorder complicated.

Bipolar is the combination of Major Depressive Disorder and expansive mood episodes categorized as either Hypomanic or Manic.

We'll explore those in a moment.

With all these factors it can be very difficult to truly know if someone has bipolar or is in a depressive episode.

Great care and attention need to be taken on the part of the therapist to assess the individual's personality and base level of function is.

For instance, if someone is naturally extraverted and high energy but going through a depressive episode it could very easily appear as if the person is having a hypomanic episode after the depression lifts.

Bipolar and Mania

The other definitive feature to know if you have bipolar is understanding what counts as a manic episode.

There are 2 types of manic episodes as alluded to above.

A Hypomanic is an elevated mood lasting 4 consecutive days in which the person has inflated self-esteem, is more talkative, needs less sleep, increases goal-directed activities, and engages in risky behaviors.

A Manic episode is an elevated mood lasting for a full week in which the person experiences the symptoms listed above. 

ONLY if you meet the criteria for Major Depressive Disorder AND whether a hypomanic or manic episode do you have bipolar.  

Cyclothymia

Now let's look at Cyclothymia.

This is the least known of bipolar disorders because the symptoms are less severe and shorter lasting.

Essentially, Cyclothymia is a pattern of elevated and depressed episodes over the course of a 2-year period.

The biggest difference between Cyclothyia and Bipolar I and Bipolar II is that Cyclothymia is only diagnosable if in that 2-year period you have never met the criteria for a Major Depressive Disorder, Hypomanic episode, or a full Manic episode.

If you have met the criteria for Major Depressive Disorder, then you have either Major Depressive Disorder or Persistent Depressive Disorder.

Combined with a Hypomanic episode and you have Bipolar II; combined with a full Manic episode and you have Bipolar I.

Conclusion

So, you now have a pretty good idea of an answer to the question, "Do I have bipolar?" 

Likely, you do not. 

Cyclothymia, Bipolar I, and Bipolar II are complex, and nuanced mental disorders that are a combination of depressive symptoms and manic symptoms.

Cyclothymia is a cyclical experience of hypomanic and depressive symptoms over 2 years that never meet the full criteria for hypomania or major depressive disorder. 

Bipolar I requires full criteria for major depressive disorder AND a full manic episode.

Bipolar II requires full criteria for major depressive disorder AND a hypomanic episode.

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December 4th, 2023

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