Elevated Mood

Question 1

What is bipolar I?

Answer 1

meets the criteria for mania but previous episodes may have been hypomanic and/or depressive

Question 2

What is bipolar II?

Answer 2

current or past hypomanic episode and current or past depressive episode

• has never met the criteria for mania.
• most common form of illness

Question 3

What is Bipolar III?

Answer 3

Hypomanic episodes that occur following the use of antidepressants for depression

Question 4

What is Bipolar IV?

Answer 4

depressions arising form a hyperthymic temperament

Question 5

Repeated episodes of mania or hypomania only are classified as bipolar - true/false?

Answer 5

True

Question 6

How does recurrent depression become bipolar disorder?

Answer 6

addition of a manic/hypomanic episode

Question 7

What is hypomania?

Answer 7

mood is elevated or irritable to a degree that is definitely abnormal for the individual concerned and sustained for at least 4 consecutive days

Question 8

What are the features of a hypomanic episode?

Answer 8

1. increased activity or physical restlessness;
2. increased talkativeness;
3. difficulty in concentration or distractibility;
4. decreased need for sleep;
5. increased sexual energy;
6. mild spending sprees, or other types of reckless or irresponsible behaviour

Question 9

What is a manic episode?

Answer 9

Mood must be predominantly elevated, expansive or irritable, and definitely abnormal for the individual concerned. The mood change must be prominent and sustained for at least 1 week (unless it is severe enough to require hospital admission)

Question 10

What are some features of mania?

Answer 10

1. Increased activity or physical restlessness;
2. Increased talkativeness (‘pressure of speech’);
3. Flight of ideas or the subjective experience of thoughts racing;
4. Loss of normal social inhibitions resulting in behaviour which is inappropriate to the circumstances;
5. Decreased need for sleep;
6. Inflated self-esteem or grandiosity;
7. Distractibility or constant changes in activity or plans;
8. Behaviour which is foolhardy or reckless and whose risks the subject does not recognize e.g. spending sprees
9. Marked sexual energy or sexual indiscretions.

Question 11

What other disorders are comorbid with bipolar disorder?

Answer 11

anxiety disorders

alcohol and drug misuse

personality disorders

eating disorders

schizoaffective disorder

schizophrenia

Question 12

What are the acute mental states associated with BD?

Answer 12

hypomania
mania
depression

Question 13

What are the maintenance mental states associated with BD?

Answer 13

predominantly (hypo)manic

Predominantly depressive

mixed affective states

rapid cycling

Question 14

What is the most common mood disturbance in bipolar I/II?

Answer 14

depression

Question 15

What is the relation of suicide risk in bipolar disorder compared to normal?

Answer 15

increased - as with all mental illness

Question 16

What is the difference between Bipolar I and Bipolar II?

Answer 16

bipolar I (mania + depression)

bipolar II (hypomania + depression)