Everyone experiences ups and downs or good or bad moods. Bipolar Disorder however, is a chronic mental health condition where there can be extreme changes in mood, levels of energy, thinking, and behaviours which disrupt everyday life.
How common is it?
Around 2% of Australians with a mental health disorder are diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder each year. You can read more prevalence statistics here.
Are there different types of Bipolar Disorder?
- The subtype of Bipolar Disorder is diagnosed depending on the person’s experience of mood changes and symptoms. Some common diagnoses include:
- Type 1 Bipolar Disorder involves periods of severe mood episodes ranging from both mania (elevated mood) to depression (low mood). Psychotic symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations may be present in Type 1 Bipolar Disorder.
- Type 2 Bipolar Disorder consists of a milder form of mood elevation, with less extreme episodes (called hypomania) that alternate with episodes of significant depression.
- Cyclothymic Disorder is diagnosed when short periods of both hypomania and depression occur, although they are not as extensive or as long-lasting as the symptoms in full hypomanic or depressive episodes.
