Bipolar disorder is distinguished by episodes of mania, hypomania, mixed states and depression. There are two distinct forms of bipolar disorder which differ by the presence of hypomania. Bipolar I disorder (classic bipolar disorder) is characterized by episodes of mania and depression. It is equally common in women and men. Bipolar II disorder is characterized by episodes of hypomania (a less severe form of mania) and depression. It is more common in women than men.
Prevalence of bi polar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is believed to affect 1% to 2% of American adults. Worldwide, the illness is approximately equal in populations in every country according to research. Some studies suggests that the percentage affected worldwide may be even higher, 3.7%, when bipolar spectrum disorders are taken into consideration. Most surveys do not include milder forms of bipolar disorder (bipolar II disorder or unspecified bipolar disorder) which mean that the numbers are likely higher. While both genders are likely to suffer from the illness equally, women are hospitalized more often due to manic episodes. Also, women suffer from rapid cycling more often than men and have mainly depressive symptoms and episodes.
Age and Bipolar Disorder
People are diagnosed with bipolar disorder for the first time in various parts of life but the best known age group for diagnosis of bipolar disorder is late teens, between the ages of 15 and 19. About 59% of patients reported that they experienced the first symptoms during childhood or adolescence. It is possible to have the first episode later in life. According to a study, new cases of mania occurred in 9.3% of a studied set of patients over 60 years old. In another report, 6.1% of older adults (60 years and older) had late onset.
Recurrence and Predisposition
Recurrence of bipolar episodes happen even when long term therapy is constant. It is believed that petients have “a 73% relapse rate at 5 years and 66% of those patients had multiple relapses”. Some studies have higer rates for relapse, even as high as 90%, half of which occur within two years. Scientific studies suggest that bipolar disorder is strongly heritable. About 2/3 of patients have a family history of mental illness, especially bipolar disorder. The possibility of a child developing bipolar disorder is higher if one parent has the illness; the chances are even higher if both parents have any mental illness, especially if one is bipolar. The chance is substantially higher if multiple generations have a history of bipolar illness or other affective disorders.
Seasonal Episodes
Bipolar depression episodes can occur seasonally. Depression is much more common in the spring and autumn; manic episodes more common in the summer. Suicide attempts have undergone a significant amount of study and are known to peak in spring.
Broad Spectrum
It is believed that there is a broad spectrum of bipolar disorders that simply take on the limiting diagnosis of unspecified bipolar disorder. It is also believed that ¼ to ½ of diagnosed major depression is actually a form of bipolar disorder. Other categories proposed encompass minor depression, dysthymia and recurrent brief depression and are known as MinBP (and subgroup cyclothymia).
Life Long
Bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition that can be maintained through accurate diagnosis, careful observation and medication. Doctors must consider the illness, acute treatment response, family history and the possibility of other affective disorders included with bipolar disorder.
