bipolar vs bipolar affective

[carer1]

Can anyone tell me what the difference is between bipolar  and bipolar disorder Ive looked it up but just cant work it out.

[HA1]

Hi Carer

I am not an expert but my understanding is that there are effectively three types:

1. Bipolar 1 Disorder:  At least one manic episode is necessary to make the diagnosis

2. Bipolar 2 Disorder:  No manic episodes, but one or more hypomanic episodes and one or more major depressive episode.

3. Bipolar Disorder (Not Otherwise Specified): This is a catchall category, diagnosed when the disorder does not fall within a specific subtype

Bipolar disorder is also known as bipolar affective disorder.

You can Google each of these types individual to read more.  The above explanations are straight from Wikipedia!

Im not sure if I have helped, but good luck.

K

[paellamagi]

From what I understand bipolar/bipolar affective are different names for the same thing. Affective disorders just mean mood disorders (so major depressive, dysthymia etc are part of this too).

Hideaway explained the different flavours pretty well I think.

[Dee7]

Hi I have bipolar affective disorder , also been diagnosed previously with ptsd. I guess they are labels that tend to intertwine . Massive mood swings, manic states , anxiety and full blown darkness ..I tend to break down up to 5-6 times a year .. And in the week prior to that be off the hook manic , spending , holidays, oc d etc . I have learnt to understand the signs over the years . The high dose of meds I use don't really help when it happens but after so long I know these are the triggers before the almighty fall .Me I've been high functioning in society with constant psych help for 20 years . Currently been very low for a period of about 3 weeks . Gotta snap myself out of it n get back to work . I am a tradesman so in my hyper / good states I work very efficiently and do very well , and am meticulous however sometimes to get up for work and get going again & be around others like now takes more energy than building a house. I have always been highly medicated but goal driven . I have not let my demons or being medicated destroy my goals of raising healthy , caring and smart kids , being  a good husband and home ownership .. We suffer in silence and no one can understand the darkness and few understand the power it does take to rise up over it and over again . i have never told a single person outside of my immediate family because as soon as U let be known u have an illness you would be stigmatised and not treated as equal in society or the workplace  . Anyway I am still surviving 20 years on .one of the positive things about bipolar is how during an episode if you are an artist you can really tap into a lot . In some states over the years I have written albums and created amazing music .  I'm only 35 I've just gotta harden up right now and start my first job of the year this week gather confidence once my confidence comes back so does the energy . ........livingwithbipolar

[Dee7]

First time here think I posted in the wrong bit . Said bipolar do I thought I'd tell a bit of my story