Bipolar I and Bipolar II: Comparison and Contrast - Essay Example

Bipolar disorder is responsible for numerous broken/damaged relationships, poor school and job performance and even suicide. Besides these, misconceptions and ignorance cloud the disorder among the general public, thus, the need for this study. An overview of the several varieties of bipolar, their research and case studies, time-length in clinical, real-life application and drug treatment will be undertaken. This will be followed by focus on the comparisons and contrasts of Bipolar I and II, guided by the thesis that in-depth understanding of the two disorders is of absolute importance to their effective management and treatment.

Bipolar is a lifetime lasting disorder, characterized by episodes of mania and depression occurring over time. While some people may be free of symptoms between the episodes, others have lingering symptoms. A wide range of symptoms differing from individual to individual exist. However, the disorder has been classified into four basic types. Bipolar I Disorder is characterized by acute manic or mixed episodes lasting about a week alongside depressive episodes lasting over two weeks. The symptoms are severe, warranting hospitalization and onset of treatment.

Bipolar II Disorder presents with back and forth depressive symptoms plus hypomanic, rather than full-blown manic or mixed episodes during the episodes. . e classified with Rapid Cycling Bipolar Disorder, where at least four episodes of major mania, depression, hypomania or mixed symptoms are experienced within one year. Here, some individuals may experience multiple episodes in a week or a day, with risks of severe depression and suicide heightened. Research into the Bipolar Disorder is always in high gear to enable the application of the best evidence-based management regimes.

Through such research, a combination of psychiatric medicine and psychotherapy is muted as the best known treatment so far. Drugs include mood stabilizing, antidepressant and antipsychotic medications. However, the side effects of such medications raise much controversy among the stakeholders. For instance, claims that antidepressant medications trigger the onset of Rapid Cyclic Bipolar Disorder among Bipolar patients are the source of much debate and research (NIMH, 2009). The background done above on the Bipolar Disorder sets the stage for the next direction of this discussion; a comparison and contrast of the two most prevalent forms of the disorder (I and II).

The two forms of Bipolar Disorder share a number of general similarities on several aspects. First, they both entail marked shifts in moods, energy and activity levels at a level higher than happens in non-patients. In this similarity, both Bipolar I and Bipolar II share alternating episodes of manic behaviour and depression over time. Manic behavior entails hyperactivity and grandiose moods in the individual alongside high levels of energy. Depression, on the other hand, involves significant withdrawal, irritability, inactivity and short tempers in the individual.

Another aspect of the similarity between the two forms of disorders is on their intermittent nature. Both Bipolar disorders