Which statement is most true about bipolar disorder?
A.
Bipolar disorders always include periods of major depression.
B.
Bipolar disorders all follow the same pattern of behavior.
C.
Manic depression is the same as hypomanic disorder.
D.
Patients with bipolar 2 have major depression with hypomanic episodes.
The Correct answer and Explanation is:
The most accurate statement regarding bipolar disorder is:
D. Patients with bipolar 2 have major depression with hypomanic episodes.
Explanation:
Bipolar disorder is a complex mood disorder characterized by extreme mood swings, including manic, hypomanic, and depressive episodes. There are two main types of bipolar disorder: Bipolar I and Bipolar II, each differing in the severity and nature of the mood episodes experienced.
Bipolar I Disorder is characterized by the presence of at least one manic episode, which may be preceded or followed by hypomanic or major depressive episodes. A manic episode is defined by an abnormally elevated, expansive, or irritable mood lasting at least one week and is severe enough to cause significant impairment in social or occupational functioning or to require hospitalization.
Bipolar II Disorder involves at least one major depressive episode and at least one hypomanic episode. Unlike full mania, hypomania is a less severe form of elevated mood that lasts for at least four days and is not severe enough to cause significant impairment in functioning or to require hospitalization. However, the depressive episodes in Bipolar II can be as severe as those in Bipolar I. The key difference is that Bipolar II does not include full-blown manic episodes, only hypomanic ones.
Analysis of the Incorrect Options:
- Option A is incorrect because not all individuals with bipolar disorder experience major depression. Bipolar I disorder, for example, can include only manic episodes without depressive episodes.
- Option B is incorrect because bipolar disorders do not follow the same pattern of behavior. The course of the disorder can vary widely among individuals, with differences in the frequency, duration, and intensity of mood episodes.
- Option C is incorrect because manic depression (an older term for bipolar disorder) is not the same as hypomanic disorder. Hypomania is a less severe form of mania and is specifically associated with Bipolar II disorder.
Therefore, Option D is correct because Bipolar II disorder is characterized by episodes of major depression accompanied by hypomanic episodes, distinguishing it from Bipolar I disorder, which involves more severe manic episodes. Understanding the differences between these types is crucial for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment planning.