There are Two Types of Bipolar Disorder
We break bipolar disorder down into two categories because it helps us understand and treat them better. Bipolar I disorder is characterized by a tendency toward the mania side of the spectrum. People with bipolar I disorder experience at least one full manic episode, and usually experience hypomanic and depressive episodes, as well.
Bipolar II disorder is marked by moods that lean more toward the depressive side. A bipolar II disorder diagnosis requires at least one major depressive episode, and one episode of hypomania. Hypomania means “less than mania” – it’s an elevated mood state, but it’s not quite a full-on manic episode. People with hypomania experience a loss of inhibition and an increase in energy, but don't usually get the full extent of the irritability or recklessness that comes with full mania.
Image: Jurica Koletic via Unsplash.
Did you know...
- Starting to feel claustrophobic? The smells of apples may help keep your claustrophobic feelings at bay according to a 1995 study by Dr. Alan Hirsch. Green apples, specifically, helped people change their perception of their space. Maybe they thought of expansive apple orchards? Cucumbers and barbecue made the feelings worse.
- Need a quick cool down? Try drinking some hot liquid. It's true! As counterintuitive as it may seem, the heat from hot liquids will raise your body temperature. This will heat you up and cause you to sweat. The increased perspiration will wind up helping you feel cooler as it evaporates. Try it out!
- Have you ever told your husband something and he promptly forgets it? It's not his fault, actually. It really is because he's a man. The hippocampus (the part of the brain that deals with memory) begins to shrink with age faster in men than it does in women. That's why you can remember everything, and he can't!
- Does your job make you stressed? We all know that stress is psychologically bad for you, but it also has an effect on…your allergies? A Harvard Medical School study has shown that stress causes your allergies to become worse because your body's defense response loses efficacy when repeatedly triggered by stress. Then, when you really need to physically fight something off, you're less able to!
- There are many factors that contribute to your body odor, but one of the strongest links is our diet. This may be some bad news for meat-lovers because many studies have shown that those who refrained from or ate less red meat were judged as being more pleasant smelling. The meat sweats are real, and they don’t smell great!