The four main episodes of Bipolar Disorder are Bipolar I Disorder, Bipolar II, Cyclothymic and Bipolar Disorder not otherwise specified.
The first type being Bipolar I in which you have had at least 1 episode of mania or mixed mood with often experiencing depression too. This type sometime happens when the seasons change.
The second type Bipolar II is when you have had at least 1 episode of depression and at least 1 period of hypomania. Hypomania is a mild form of mania. The mood swings also may occur when the seasons change.
The third type is Cyclothymic Disorder which is a milder form of Bipolar. You may go back and forth between mild depression and slightly elevated mood. The moods swings are shorter and less severe. Sometimes people with cyclothymic disorder go on to have a stronger type of bipolar disorder but it certainly does not happen to everyone.
The Forth type is Bipolar not otherwise specified which in this type you do not fit into the other types. The feelings of Bipolar disorder vary from one person to the next.
Next time I will write about causes and other factors so please comeback soon.
