The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychological Association (DSM-IV) places Bipolar Depression I within the sphere of affective disorders that are primarily disturbances of mood (1994). More commonly known as a mood disorders, a distinction is made between Bipolar Depression I and Bipolar Depression II. Individuals with mood disorders have disturbances in their emotional states or moods. Two major mood disturbances are known as dysphoria and euphoria. In dysphoria, associated with depression, the individual ôfeels overwhelming sadnessö, while in euphoria, the opposite pole, individuals ôfeel overwhelming elationö, (Halgin and Whitbourne 2003, 266). To understand bipolar disorder fully, one must understand the term episode. An episode is a ôtime-limited period during which specific, intense symptoms of a disorder are evidentö, (Halgin et al. 2003, 266). Bipolar disorder I is characterized by one or more manic or mixed episodes, often accompanied by major depressive episodes.
Individuals with bipolar disorder I often experiences periods of extreme elation, sleeping and eating less than normal, followed by a crash period that may involve depression. A manic episode is defined as a ôfull-blown expression of extreme symptoms involving abnormally heightened levels of thinking, behavior, and emotionality that cause impairment in social or occupational functioningö (Halgin et al. 2003, 270). Bipolar disorder I also involves at least one major depressive episode. A major depressive episode is characterized by ôacute but time-limited episodes of depressive symptomsö (Halgin et al. 2003, 266). Mixed episodes occur when for a period of longer than a week the individual experiences symptoms of both manic and major depressive episodes, often in rapidly alternating order.
Individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder I have experienced one or more manic episodes with the possibility of but not the necess...