About bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder is a mental illness characterized by repeated episodes/mixed existence of mania and depression, also known as manic-depressive illness.

According to the ICD-11 (International Classification of Diseases, 11th edition), bipolar disorder can be divided into the following types. Below, we will explain the definitions of the following types in detail:

1. Bipolar Disorder Type I

2. Bipolar disorder type II

3. Bipolar disorder not otherwise specified (NOS)

4. Ring type

Bipolar Disorder Type I

Bipolar II disorder

Cyclothymic disorder

Other specified bipolar and related disorders

Unspecified bipolar and related disorders

The exact cause of bipolar disorder is unknown. It is widely believed that genetic factors play an important role. Secondly, the imbalance of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine may also cause bipolar disorder. Psychological and social factors may be the main cause of bipolar disorder. Stressful events in life may be related to the initial development and later stages, but the cause and effect are still unclear.

Classification of bipolar disorder

In this article, we focus on the following three common types of bipolar disorder:

Bipolar I disorder requires at least one full-blown (impairing social and occupational functioning) manic episode and at least one full-blown depressive episode.

Bipolar II disorder is characterized by recurrent depressive episodes and at least one hypomanic episode without typical manic episodes.

Bipolar disorder not otherwise specified (NOS) refers to bipolar disorder with significant bipolar features that does not meet the criteria for other specific bipolar disorders.

Treatment of bipolar disorder

Data show that the suicide rate of bipolar disorder is at least 15 times higher than that of the general population. At the same time, if mental illnesses such as depression are not treated in time, there is a high probability that they will turn into bipolar disorder, which is extremely dangerous. Therefore, it is very important to correctly understand bipolar disorder and go to the hospital to see a professional psychiatrist in time!

If you have the following symptoms, it is recommended that you go to a tertiary hospital with a psychiatric department as soon as possible!

1. Excessive involvement in activities that may lead to painful consequences (such as shopping sprees, blind business investments)

2. Feeling depressed most of the time

3. Insomnia, or sleeping too much

4. Worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt/inflated self-esteem

5. Recurrent suicidal thoughts, attempts, or plans

6. Talking more than usual/racing thoughts

7. Talk more than usual

Article citation:

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA), Bipolar Disorder

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Bipolar Disorder

ICD-11

Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Treatment (Medical Professional Edition) February 2022 Revision - Mental Disorders - Bipolar Disorder

Author: Li Fulin, Liu Yunfei

Article review: Chen Min (Deputy Chief Physician of Beijing Longfu Hospital, member of the Science Popularization Committee of the Chinese Medical Education Association, has been engaged in clinical diagnosis and treatment of psychiatry for more than 10 years. Specializes in diseases: insomnia, anxiety, depressive disorders, psychosomatic diseases, mental disorders associated with physical diseases, post-traumatic stress disorder, and elderly mental disorders, etc.)