Most mental health practitioners view Bipolar as a spectrum illness. Determining what "type" of Bipolar the person has comes second to treating the symptoms that they live with day to day. That said, keeping accurate documentation compels many psychiatrists and psychologists to determine what "type" of Bipolar their client has. There is really only one major difference between Bipolar 1 and Bipolar 2. That major difference? Mania. Mania is the most extreme mood state that people with bipolar can experience. It is an extreme amount of energy/agitation that causes the person to lose functioning. Usually, a manic episode ends up in the hospital (or sometimes jail). People diagnosed Bipolar 1 have experienced one manic episode in their lifetime. Even if they never experience mania again, they will always be considered Bipolar 1. Also, keep in mind that mania induced by medications or drugs does not 'count' unless the mania continues once the medication/drug is out of your system.
People with Bipolar 2 do not experience the extreme mood state of mania. They experience hypomania, which is also an extreme high state, but it doesn't eliminate the ability to function. Here are a couple of charts to help:
I like to say that the difference between the two is as follows:
When you are hypomanic, your friends and family notice something different about you, and they might be concerned. If you are manic, a complete stranger will notice your behaviour and they will be very concerned for your well-being. Hypomania is cleaning your house and 3 am, Mania is walking barefoot in the middle of a bad neighborhood at 3 am.
Questions that often come up....
Which one is worse, Bipolar 1 or Bipolar 2?
I personally would say neither of them are worse. I did read a research article about Bipolar 2 people having longer period of depression and thus were less functional than Bipolar 1. Unfortunately I cannot find that article, so I have no source for that statement. Here is a good video to answer the question:
Bipolar 2 has worse depression, right?
Well, maybe. To be diagnosed with Bipolar 2, you must have had a depressive episode. That is not the case for Bipolar 1. You can have Bipolar 1 but never experience a depressive episode in your life. That said, most people with Bipolar 1 do experience depression. Their depression can be as severe as someone with Bipolar 2, and it can also be just as long as someone with Bipolar 2.
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