Bipolar, Depression, & Related Disorders

Bipolar & Related Disorders

What Disorders Fall Under the Bipolar Umbrella?

The American Psychiatric Association (2022) lists the following disorders under Bipolar and Related Disorders in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manuel 5-TR:

- - Bipolar I Disorder
  - Bipolar II Disorder
  - Cyclothymic Disorder
  - Substance/Medication Induced Bipolar Disorder

What are the Common Signs & Symptoms of these Disorders?

- Bipolar I- At least one lifetime occurrence of a manic episode with shifting moods between depressive, hypomanic, and mania
- Bipolar II- Shifting in moods between at least one lifetime occurrence of hypomania and major depressive episode.
- Cyclothymic Disorder- A shifting in mood beteween hypomanic-like episodes and depressive episodes without meeting diagnostic criteria for a full hypomanic or depressive episode

(APA, 2022)

Signs of Mania

Episode lasts for a minimum of 1 week
Heightened sense of self-esteem or increased sense of grandiosity
Feeling rested on little sleep
Heightened activity
Altered sense of judgement about what is right and wrong.
Easily distracted
Rapid speech and flight of ideas
May experience brief "micro-depressions"
Increase in risk taking behaviors
Often results in hospitalization or incarceration

(Morrison, 2016)

Signs of Hypomania

Shorter in duration than manic episodes (4 days or less)
All symptoms are similar to the listed symptoms of mania but are less severe in nature and will not typically require hospitalization.

Signs of Depression

Depressed Mood
Loss of Pleasure in activities that used to bring enjoyment
Changes in weight and appetite
Sleep Disturbances (either sleeping too much or not enough)
Low energy or
Agitation or Irritability
Difficulty with Concentration
Some patients may experience thoughts of hopelessness or suicidal ideation

(Morrison, 2016)

Social Impacts

Difficulty in establishing and maintaining friendships
Interpersonal conflicts related to manic/ hypomanic episodes
Manic/ hypomanic episodes may result in an increase in sexual indiscretions that may lead to higher incidences of divorce, emotional or physical abuse, or unwanted pregnancy.

(Morrison, 2016)

Emotional Impacts

Difficulty regulating mood from highs to lows without medication
Feelings of isolation or that others don't understand them
Feelings of sadness and hopelessness during depressive episodes
Inability to control some behaviors during manic or hypomanic episodes.
Swings in self-esteem (eleveted during manic episodes and low during depressive episodes)

(Morrison, 2016)

Academic Impacts

Higher rates of truancy
Increase in delinquent Behaviors and higher rates of suspension or disciplinary consequences
Higher rates of academic failure
Higher rates of suspension
Need for academic support services like section 504 or IDEA
Need to monitor if student is experiencing side-effects of medication

(Tobin & Hall, 2015)

How Do Bipolar Disorders Impact Development & Success

Bipolar disorders can significantly impact an individual's development and success in many areas of their life. Individuals with a Bipolar I diagnosis will often require hospitalization to stabilize them whether due to the severity of risk-taking behaviors or increased feelings of hopeless or suicidal ideation during depressive episodes. Individuals will often need academic accommodation, psychological, and psychiatric intervention to stabilize mood. These individuals will often need to take medication for sustained periods of time, but are at higher risk of not taking medication with regularity due to the nature of manic/hypomanic episodes.

(APA, 2022)

Helpful Resources Related to Bipolar Disorders

Depression & Related Disorders

What are the Common Signs & Symptoms of these disorders?

- Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
  - See list of of symptoms listed under "Signs of Depression" in Bipolar section.
  - Symptoms must be present for at least 2 weeks.

- Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)
  - Intense temper outbursts in children between the ages of 6-12.
  - Outbursts must be present for a minimum of 12 months.
  - Chronic irritability or angry mood most days..
  - Trouble functioning in more than 1 environment (school, home, etc.)..

- Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)
  - Depressive symptoms linked to hormonal changes around a woman's menstrual cycle.
  - A more severe form of Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS).

(APA, 2022)

What Disorders Fall Under the Depressive Disorders Umbrella?

The following diagnoses are identified in the DSM 5-TR under the depressive disorders umbrella:

- Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)
- Major Depressive Disorder
- Persistent Depressive Disorder
- Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
- Substance/Medication Induced Psychotic Disorder
- Depressive Disorder Due to Another MedicalPre Condition
- Unspecified Depressive Disorder
- Unspecified Mood Disorder

Social Impacts

Withdrawal from usual activities.
Isolation from friends and family.
Increased conflict with family or peers.

(APA. 2022)

Emotional Impacts

Unexplained feelings of guilt.
Frequent crying spells or increase in irritability.
Feelings of hopelessness or despair.
Decrease in self-esteem.
Talking about death or dying or giving away possessions to others.

(APA, 2022)

Academic Impacts

Attendance concerns/Truancy related to inability to get to school.
Lack of motivation or inability to complete assigned tasks.
Decrease in grades.

(APA, 2022)

How Do Depressive Disorders Impact Development & Success

Individuals experiencing symptoms of depression can be significantly impacted in both their development and success. Depression in all of its forms may make it difficult for clients to establish successful interpersonal relationships and can significantly impact a person's functioning in either school or the workplace. Poor self-esteem and disruptions in sleep patterns may make it difficult for some clients to be reliable employees or may skew their academic scores and social functioning in the classroom. This further reinforces the false sense of self a client may have developed. In it's most severe forms, those experiencing symptoms of depression are at higher risk for suicidal ideation and suicide attempts if feelings of hopelessness or despair are not addressed through adequate therapeutic interventions , pharmacological intervention ,or a combination of the two.

(Morrison, 2016)