The image above is a graphic
representation of Bipolar I, Bipolar II, and Cyclothymic Disorder.
The X-axis represents time, and the Y-axis represents affect. Positive
Affect is Euphoria or Elevated Mood, and Negative Affect is Depression
or Sadness.
For Bipolar I Disorder, Bipolar II Disorder, and Cyclothymic Disorder, the following criteria for diagnosis are taken from the DSM-IV-TR (2000).
A. Presence of at least one Manic Episode and no past Major Depressive Episodes. Hence, while a Major Depressive Episode may have occurred, the presence of a Major Depressive Episode is NOT required for diagnosis of Bipolar I Disorder. There are specifiers to be considered within this criteria. Bipolar I Disorder can be classified as:
A. Presence or history of one or more Major Depressive Episode.
B. Presence
or history of at least one Hypomanic Episode, wherein there has NEVER been
a Manic Episode or a Mixed Episode.
A. For at least 2 years, the presence of numerous periods with hypomanic symptoms and numerous periods with depressive symptoms that do not meet criteria for Major Depressive Episode. In children or adolescents, the duration must be at least 1 year.
B. During the above 2-year period (1 year in children and adolescents) the person has not been without symptoms in Criteria A for more than 2 months at a time.
C. No Major Depressive Episode, Manic Episode, or Mixed Episode has been present during the first two years of the disturbance.
PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING COMMON CRITERIA AMONG ALL BIPOLAR DISORDER DIAGNOSES, MANIC, HYPOMANIC, and MIXED EPISODES:
A. The symptoms are not better accounted for by Schizoaffective Disorder and are not superimposed on Schizophrenia.
B. The symptoms are not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance or a general medical condition.
C. The symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
