There are various types of Bipolar Disorders which differ. Doctors are able to distinguish one type from another as there are specialised categories for the Bipolar Disorders. This helps them to discuss with their patient what problems they are having. Hypomania belongs to the family of Bipolar disorders and is usually overlooked. The reason for this is that hypomania does not a cause a problem for many, so usually treatment is not sought after beacause it is not needed. It can in fact help a person as they can think faster, which makes them more outgoing and optimistic about the future.
Bipolar I is the most common disorder associated with Bipolar Disorders. Included in this group are those who alternate from states of mania to depression. Those who suffer from Bipolar I can have a high opinion of themself one moment then swing the opposite way, having little or no consideration for themselves. They also alternate from having periods of fast paced activity which can seem strange and outrageous, to lows where they feel desperate with thoughts of wishing to die.
Bipolar I is thought to be the most difficult to treat. It is useful to treat patients with anticonvulsants or such mood stabilisers like lithium. With depression or mania in particular, a person can sometimes have a psychosis, so they will need to be prescribed antipsychotic medication, so the patient can be brought back to reality.
It is very difficult to treat depression in someone who has Bipolar I. If a person has a tendency to become manic, antidepressants may be dangerous for them. They can trigger a cycle of alternating from depression to mania in a seemingly short time, and then back again, a problem that is prevalent in Bipolar I, of all the disorders.
Another type of Bipolar Disorder is Dual Diagnosis. This is where a Bipolar Disorder is combined with alcohol and or including drug abuse. Often a person will have started with a Bipolar Disorder, and undiagnosed, then gone on to either alcohol or drug abuse which would mask the problems of the underlying illness.
Substance abuse is usually taken on by a person with a Bipolar Disorder to help with any symptoms they feel. A person may seem to overcome depression by taking some sort of stimulant, and similarly alcohol, can act as a depressant, by lessening overactivity in someone who is manic, as an example. What these people don’t realise is that alcohol and drugs will eventually make their problems worse, and they end up with more severe episodes. For a person with a Bipolar Disorder, they need to avoid these substances as an answer to their problems.
Major Depression, or MDD, is one of the less obvious Bipolar Disorders. A person is depressed most of the time whilst they are ill, and may have minor or short episodes of mania. As depression dominates their lives, sufferers life is very difficult and the future looks grey, unrewarding and often at times become very unbearable. The periods of depression can last for months, and for some people it may be a number of years.
Most people respond well by being treated with antidepressants, some form of talk therapy and even exercise. Treatment is less complicated as there is not much chance of a manic episode, so there is less of a risk.
As there are many Bipolar Disorders, there are many treatments available for the differing disorders. It is tricky to marry the correct treatment for each patient, and to encourage them to take their medications. There are sometimes undesireable side effects which may require a change in medication or something to counteract it. Having all these disorders categorised makes it easier for doctors and other professionals to help those suffering from this type of mental illness.