- Because of the similarities between depression and bipolar disorder, the two are frequently misdiagnosed. Recognizing the differences between the diseases is crucial to understanding the symptoms. To receive a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, an individual must experience at least one manic episode. This requires an elevated mood for no less than 1 week with changes such as feelings of grandiosity, drastically less time spent sleeping and racing thoughts. While not required for a diagnosis, depressive episodes are also part of bipolar disorder. A depressive episode requires an individual to experience symptoms such as decreased appetite, suicidal ideation and loss of energy for at least 2 weeks. Misdiagnoses often occur during depressive episodes. Those afflicted with bipolar disorder often seek help during depressive episodes but fail to report the uplifting but dangerous manic episodes.
- Those experiencing a depressive episode will display a variety of changes in behavior and mood. These include dramatic increases or decreases in sleep and appetite, a diminished interest in activities once thought to be enjoyable, a decreased level of energy or an inability to concentrate. Everyone experiences each of these symptoms on occasion, but a depressive episode requires that they persist for at least 2 weeks and have a negative effect on occupational or social duties. It will often seem that these individuals lack the motivation or desire to participate in their own lives.
- Because individuals experiencing manic episodes are often in high spirits, a good diagnosis can be especially challenging to procure. Mania rarely drives people to seek help and may instead influence them to resist it. Specific symptoms include impulsive behaviors, euphoria, increased agitation, rapid speech and a sense of grandiosity lasting for a week or more. These symptoms often display themselves through uncharacteristically risky decisions such as brazen business moves, unprotected sex or increased spending. Much like depressive episodes, manic episodes must impede upon social or occupational obligations to warrant a diagnosis.
- Mixed episodes, or simultaneous symptoms of both mania and depression, are also characteristic of bipolar disorder. Individuals experiencing these episodes report a mix of symptoms, such as rapid speech, agitation and impulsiveness paired with diminished interests and suicidal ideation. For the person to receive a diagnosis, this impaired state must last for at least 1 week and interfere with occupational and social duties. Experiencing a mixed state also fulfills the requirements for a bipolar diagnosis.
- Hypomania, a less severe form of mania, is required for the diagnosis of bipolar II. Because of the decreased intensity of the episodes, hypomania can be even more challenging to diagnose than mania. Periods of hypomania may seem like short stretches of improved productivity and do not necessarily have strong negative effects on social and occupational duties. Despite this, the changes between hypomania and depression can be disconcerting. Those with a diagnosis of bipolar II are also far more likely to eventually develop full-blown bipolar disorder than the general population.
