Should Bipolar and related disorders be part of the same spectrum?
I think the diagnostic criteria for Bipolar and related Disorder should be called “Manic
Spectrum Disorder”.
Bipolar Disorder:
Bipolar disorder (formerly called manic-depressive illness or manic depression) is a mental
disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, concentration, and the
ability to carry out day-to-day tasks.
Types of Bipolar and related disorders:
● Bipolar I Disorder— defined by manic episodes that last at least 7 days, or
by manic symptoms that are so severe that the person needs immediate
hospital care. Usually, depressive episodes occur as well, typically lasting at
least 2 weeks. Episodes of depression with mixed features (having
depressive symptoms and manic symptoms at the same time) are also
possible.
● Bipolar II Disorder— defined by a pattern of depressive episodes and
hypomanic episodes, but not the full-blown manic episodes that are typical
of Bipolar I Disorder.
● Cyclothymic Disorder (also called Cyclothymia)— defined by periods of
hypomanic symptoms as well as periods of depressive symptoms lasting
for at least 2 years (1 year in children and adolescents). However, the
symptoms do not meet the diagnostic requirements for a hypomanic
episode and a depressive episode.
● Substance/Medication-Induced Bipolar and Related Disorder- This
condition occurs when the mood disturbance symptoms occur during or
soon after taking a substance or stopping use of a substance that is
capable of producing the bipolar symptoms. These symptoms can include
an elevated or irritable mood, or depressed mood that may or may not occur
with a loss of interest in or pleasure from activities.
● Bipolar and Related Disorder Due to Another Medical Condition - This
diagnosis is used when symptoms are produced by a medical condition
(not another mental health condition). There must be evidence from a
health history, physical examination or lab tests that the symptoms are
directly related to another medical condition. The mood symptoms cannot
be the result of another mental health condition, only a medical one. They
must also be causing a lot of stress or problems with school, work,
relationships with others, or daily activities
● Other Specified Bipolar and Related Disorder - This category applies when
symptoms cause significant distress or impairment, but do not meet the full
criteria for any of the other disorders in this category. This is used when the
clinician specifies the reasons that criteria are not meet (for example, not
quite enough days or symptoms displayed to trigger the full diagnosis).
● Unspecified Bipolar and Related Disorder - This diagnosis is used to
describe situations where the clinician chooses not to specify the reason
that the criteria for one of the other types are met or when there is not
enough information available to make a more specific diagnosis.
I don’t think that Bipolar I, Bipolar II, Cyclothymic Disorder, Other Specified Bipolar and
Related Disorder and Unspecified Bipolar and Related Disorder is very helpful.
Not everyone is going to have all the symptoms of Bipolar Disorder. Another problem is that
there are disorders that includes symptoms of mania, but are not Bipolar Disorders and
there are disorders that includes mania without depressions.
The symptoms of Bipolar and related disorders can be profound and all the way to mild to
the point where you can have Bipolar Disorder and nor you or anyone will find out that you
or they have it.
That is why I think it should be called “Manic Spectrum Disorder”
Manic Disorder:
Extremely elevated and excitable mood usually associated with bipolar disorder.
21 Dec 2020, 11:29 pm
