Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar Disorder

Overview

There are two main types of bipolar disorder: Bipolar 1 and Bipolar 2
Bipolar 1 involves at least one single manic episode with or without a depressive episode; whereas, Bipolar 2 involves at least one hypomanic episode and at least one depressive episode.
Emphasize that any manic episode makes the diagnosis Bipolar 1, so let's see what a manic episode entails.

Symptoms

A manic episode requires at least one week of at least 3 "DIG FAST" symptoms, which stand for:

Superman

We draw a picture of Superman rushing to the hospital to encapsulate that although manic patients may feel like they are on top of the world, the end outcome is typically self-destructive rather than productive.

Hospitalization

Hospitalization, by definition, qualifies the event as mania (as opposed to hypomania).

Hypomania

A hypomanic episode involves less severe mania for at least 4 days and does NOT cause marked social impairment or (as shown) hospitalization.

Differential Diagnosis

Cyclothymia

A non-episodic (persistent) manifestation, called cyclothymia, which we symbolize with a cycle, because the individual will cycle between hypomania and depression.
The disorder must last at least two years with symptoms present for at least one-half of the time and cannot be asymptomatic for two consecutive months at any period of time.
In essence this is the bipolar equivalent of dysthymia.

Board Review

Getting ready for boards? Review these concise, bulleted high yield reviews for your exam.

USMLE & COMLEX-USA

Nurse Practitioner (NP)

Nurse Practitioner Licensing Exam

Physician Assistant (PA)

Physician Assistant Licensing Exam

Neurology (ABPN)

American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology (ABPN) Exam

Internal Medicine (ABIM)

American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Exam