Bipolar disorder

Background

• mental disorder characterized by periods of elevated moods and periods of depression
• spectrum of disorders including Bipolar Type I, Bipolar Type II, and Bipolar NOS

Clinical Features

Manic Episode

• abnormally and persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable mood lasting at least 1 week
• at least 3 of the following symptoms (4 if only irritable)
  • inflated self esteem or grandiosity
  • decreased need for sleep
  • more talkative/pressured speech
  • flight of ideas/racing thoughts
  • easily distractible
  • increase in goal-directed activity or psychomotor agitation
  • involvement in high pleasure, high risk activities
    • gambling, shopping sprees, sexual indiscretions
• sufficient to cause impairment in functioning, relationships, or hospitalization
• not as a result of substance abuse or medical condition (e.g. hyperthyroid)

Differential Diagnosis

General Psychiatric

• Organic causes
  • Delirium
  • Dementia
  • Overdose
• Psychiatric causes
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Conversion disorder
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Acute psychosis
  • Panic attack
  • Schizophrenia

See Also

• General psychiatric workup