ity of having experienced one or more major depressive episodes. The manic episode is the most critical feature of bipolar disorder I. The following symptoms represent the diagnostic features of a manic episode:
A period of abnormally and persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable mood lasting at least 1 week.
During this period, three or more of the following symptoms have persisted:
Increase in goal-directed or psychomotor activity
Excessive involvement in pleasurable activities with potentially painful consequences
The symptoms are not part of a mixed episode and not attributable to a medical condition or substance use.
The symptoms cause significant distress or impairment or necessitate hospitalization to prevent harm to self or others.
Those with bipolar disorder I typically experience a one or more major depressive episodes. The major depressive episode last typically for a two week period and involved at least five of the following symptoms to be diagnosed as such:
Diminished interest or pleasure in normal activities
Significant unintentional weight loss or weight gain
Psychomotor agitation or retardation
Feelings or worthlessness or inappropriate guilt
Concentration difficulty or indecisiveness
Recurrent thoughts of death or suicidality
Symptoms are not part of a mixed episode or attributable to a medical condition or substance abuse
The symptoms cause significant distress or impairment
There are a variety of treatment approaches to individuals suffering from bipolar disorder I. Traditionally, the primary form of treatment included the psychotropic drug lithium. Today a number of different approaches to treating bipolar disorder I are utilized. Different approaches are based on different theories about the cause or nature of the disorder, which include genetic, biochemical, psychodynamic, behavioral/cognitive and sociocultural theories. Most people who are diagnosed wit...