Bipolar And Related Disorders

Question 0

What are the main criteria for a hypomania episode?

Answer 0

A distinct period of abnormally and persistently elevated, expansive or irritable mood and abnormally and persistently increased activity or energy, lasting at least 4 consecutive days and present most of the day, nearly every day
During that period 3 or more symptoms present: inflated self-esteem or grandiosity, decreased need for sleep, more talkative than usual or pressure to keep talking, flight or ideas or thoughts racing, distractibility, increase in goal-directed activity or psychomotor agitation, involvement in high risk activities
Noticeable change in functioning
Not severe enough to need hospitalisation

Question 1

What are the main criteria for a manic episode?

Answer 1

A distinct period of abnormally and persistently elevated, expansive or irritable mood and increased goal directed activity or energy, lasting at least 1 week and present most of the day, nearly every day
During that time 3 or more symptoms present: inflated self-esteem or grandiosity, decreased need for sleep, more talkative or pressure to keep talking, flight or ideas or thoughts racing, distractibility, increased goal directed activity or psychomotor agitation, involvement in high risk activities
The mood disturbance is sufficiently severe to cause marked impairment in functioning or there are psychotic features

Question 2

What are the main criteria for a major depressive episode?

Answer 2

5 or more symptoms: depressed mood most of the day nearly every day, markedly diminished interest or please in activities, significant weight loss or gain or decrease/increase in appetite, insomnia or hypersomnia nearly everyday, psychomotor agitation or retardation, fatigue or loss of energy nearly everyday, feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt, diminished ability to think or concentrate or indecisiveness, recurrent thoughts of death - have been present for the same 2 week period and represent change from previous functioning
The symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment

Question 3

What is the criteria for Bipolar 1 disorder?

Answer 3

Person has to meet criteria for a manic episode

Manic episode may have been preceded or followed by hypomania or major depressive episodes

Question 4

What are the main criteria for Bipolar II disorder?

Answer 4

Criteria have been met for at least 1 hypomanic episode and at least 1 major depressive episode
There has never been a manic episode
Not better explained by other disorder
Symptoms of depression or unpredictability caused by frequent alteration in mood causes clinically significant distress or impairment

Question 5

What are the main diagnostic criteria of cyclothymic disorder?

Answer 5

For at least 2 years there have been numerous periods with hypomanic and depressive symptoms that do not meet full criteria
During the 2 year period the symptoms have been present for at least half of the time and the person has not been without symptoms for more than 2 months at a time
Criteria for major depressive, manic or hypomanic episodes has never been met