Bipolar Mood Disorders

Question 1

What is bipolar mood disorder?

Answer 1

When a person experiences a more complex combination of abnormal mood episodes, rather than just depression - and these mood states last for several days or weeks at a time

Question 2

What are the different types of mood episodes?

Answer 2

1. Manic mood episodes
2. Hypomanic
3. Depressive
4. Mixed

Question 3

What is the manic mood episode?

Answer 3

A period of unusually heightened mood lasting at least a week - includes grandiosity, reduced sleep, increased talkativeness and racing thoughts.

Question 4

What is the hypomanic mood episodes?

Answer 4

Same as manic, but lasts for at least 4 days

Question 5

What is the depressive mood episode?

Answer 5

A period of unusually low mood lasting for at least 2 weeks, and includes symptoms of depressed mood, sleep change, fatigue, and worthlessness.

Question 6

What is the mixed mood episode?

Answer 6

A period of unusual mood lasting at least a week, that meets symptom criteria for both manic episode and depressive episode.

Question 7

Describe the Bipolar I mood disorder.

Answer 7

A person may have a major depressive episode, but it’s not necessary. Manic episodes are present, but you can have hypomanic episodes.

Question 8

Describe the Bipolar II mood disorder.

Answer 8

A person has major depressive episodes, as well as hypomanic episodes. However, no manic episodes are present.

Question 9

What is cyclothymia?

Answer 9

It’s a chronic fluctuating of mood, including hypomanic and depressive symptoms.