[anushka]

i don't know much about bipolar symptoms except that it has manic and depressive phases. I have a question. Is there any type/ subcategory of BP where manic phase or hypo manic phase is absent? I mean symptoms like below are totally absent?

1. Decreased need for sleep (e.g., feels rested after 3 hours of sleep.)
2. More talkative than usual or pressure to keep talking.
3. Flights of ideas or subjective experience that thoughts are racing.
4. Increase in goal directed activity,

or, "energetic, talkative, and confident commonly exhibited with a flight of creative ideas".

from what i think, if such manic phase is absent then it becomes unipolar which is same as major depressive disorder, isn't it? so we cant really call it bipolar isn't it??


Any opinion is appreciated.

No, there is no such thing as bipolar disorder without the presence of hypomania or mania.

Bipolar disorder used to be called manic-depressive disorder, which means hypo/mania and depression must exist. Otherwise, it's unipolar depression.

Also, see: 1.3.1.1 Criteria for a Manic/Hypomanic Episodes

A. A distinct period of abnormally and persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable mood, lasting at least one week (or any duration if hospitalisation is necessary)

Your last criteria listed says you don't have an elevated or expansive mood. Are you irritable?

You technically only need to meet 3 of the 7 criteria listed in part B, but personally, it doesn't sound like bipolar disorder to me. However, I'm not a doctor. I think you need to consult a mental health professional if you're concerned.

[Bolivar83]

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Agree with bluebicycle, this is probably a question best vetted by a professional if it is more than a hypothetical question....

The site proper has some excellent info about Bipolar: Bipolar Disorder Symptoms & Treatment - Psych Central

If you simply want an opinion, this is an interesting topic for me. I've been fascinated by the idea that possibly bipolar, schizoaffective, and schizophrenia may one day be merged into one diagnoses.

Apparently this isn't a new idea about schizophrenia -several articles where scientists found clusters of genes that can manifest as schizophrenia. That may be why there are different expressions in different people.

From the article, Schizophrenia is actually 8 diseases, study says - CNN.com
"Schizophrenia is probably 80 different diseases," Raison says. "All psychiatric conditions likely share this heterogeneity."


Also here on Psych Central: 8 Disorders Instead of One? The Role Gene Clusters Play in Schizophrenia | Psych Central News

Maybe mental illnesses will be found to be all part of one big genetic spectrum...? anyway, blah blah blah.... I'm not educated enough in science or genetics to speak with any depth; just personal musings....

[anushka]

Thank you everyone for your replies.

@ Bluebicycle, actually it concerns my partner. I talked to my therapist about his behaviours and how it affects the relationship, and also me and him. I feel he might be showing traits of borderline PD. But my therapist said that it might also be bipolar symptoms. but i am pretty sure my partner is not showing any of the symptoms i listed above. he is a rather stoic person, who never shows any signs of excitement or talkativeness or less-sleep. So 3 of 7 criteria is not fulfilled.

but my therapist said bipolar person might not show manic episode always. One who shows the manic episodes are easily diagnosed, but some others may not show.
That's where i got confused. If he is not showing 3 of 7 manic criteria, then how can he be bipolar??
that is why i asked out. Thank you for your opinions.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

There is cycothymia which is mood swings but not going as far up as hypomania and with mild depression. It's part of the bipolar spectrum. This will give you a lot of explanation of what you are asking about.

Diagnosis | PsychEducation

[franz kafka]

Originally Posted by BeyondtheRainbow

There is cycothymia which is mood swings but not going as far up as hypomania and with mild depression. It's part of the bipolar spectrum. This will give you a lot of explanation of what you are asking about.

Diagnosis | PsychEducation

Wanted to second this. This is a great website. Talks about being more than unipolar but not quite fully bipolar.

[anushka]

Thanks a lot Beyondtherainbow and franz kafka......I really needed this article, it speaks about BP which is different from the conventional. Thanks so much.