Bipolar disorders

Question 1

Bipolar 1 disorder

Answer 1

A. Criteria have been met for at least one manic episode (Criteria A – D under “Manic Ep­sode” above).

B. The occurrence of the manic and major depressive episode(s) is not better explained by schizoaffective disorder, schizophrenia, schizophreniform disorder, delusional dis­ order, or other specified or unspecified schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorder.

Question 2

Bipolar 2 disorder

Answer 2

A. Criteria have been met for at least one hypomanic episode (Criteria A-F under“ Hypomanic Episode”above) and at least one major depressive episode (Criteria A-C under “Major Depressive Episode”above).

B. There has never been a manic episode.

C. The occurrence of the hypomanie episode(s) and major depressive episode(s) is not better explained by schizoaffective disorder, schizophrenia, schizophreniform disor­ der, delusional disorder, or other specified or unspecified schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorder.

D. The symptoms of depression or the unpredictability caused by frequent alternation be­tween periods of depression and hypomania causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

Question 3

Cyclothymic Disorder

Answer 3

A. For at least 2 years (at least 1year in children and adolescents) there have been numerous periods with hypomanic symptoms that do not meet criteria for a hypomanic episode and numerous periods with depressive symptoms that do not meet criteria for a major depressive episode.

B. During the above 2-year period (1 year in children and adolescents), the hypomanic and depressive periods have been present for at least half the time and the individual has not been without the symptoms for more than 2 months at a time.

C. Criteria for a major depressive, manic, or hypomanic episode have never been met.

D. The symptoms in Criterion A are not better explained by schizoaffective disorder, schizophrenia, schizophreniform disorder, delusional disorder, or other specified or un­ specified schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorder.

E. The symptoms are not attributable to the physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication) or another medical condition (e.g., hyperthyroidism).

F. The symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupa­tional, or other important areas of functioning.