bipolar disorder usually lasts a lifetime. episodes of mania and depression typically come back over time. between episodes many people with bipolar disorder are free of symptoms but some people may have lingering symptoms. doctors usually diagnose mental disorders using guidelines from the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders or dsm. according to the dsm there are four basic types of bipolar disorder: bipolar i disorder is mainly defined by manic or mixed episodes that last at least seven days or by manic symptoms that are so severe that the person needs immediate hospital care. usually the person also has depressive episodes typically lasting at least two weeks. the symptoms of mania or depression must be a major change from the person's normal behavior. bipolar ii disorder is defined by a pattern of depressive episodes shifting back and forth with hypomanic episodes but no full-blown manic or mixed episodes. bipolar disorder not otherwise specified (bp-nos) is diagnosed when a person has symptoms of the illness that do not meet diagnostic criteria for either bipolar i or ii. the symptoms may not last long enough or the person may have too few symptoms to be diagnosed with bipolar i or ii. however the symptoms are clearly out of the person's normal range of behavior. cyclothymic disorder or cyclothymia is a mild form of bipolar disorder. people who have cyclothymia have episodes of hypomania that shift back and forth with mild depression for at least two years. however the symptoms do not meet the diagnostic requirements for any other type of bipolar disorder. some people may be diagnosed with rapid-cycling bipolar disorder. this is when a person has four or more episodes of major depression mania hypomania or mixed symptoms within a year. some people experience more than one episode in a week or even within one day. rapid cycling seems to be more common in people who have severe bipolar disorder and may be more common in people who have their first episode at a younger age. one study found that people with rapid cycling had their first episode about four years earlier during mid to late teen years than people without rapid cycling bipolar disorder. rapid cycling affects more women than men. bipolar disorder tends to worsen if it is not treated. over time a person may suffer more frequent and more severe episodes than when the illness first appeared. also delays in getting the correct diagnosis and treatment make a person more likely to experience personal social and work-related problems. proper diagnosis and treatment helps people with bipolar disorder lead healthy and productive lives. in most cases treatment can help reduce the frequency and severity of episodes.
how does bipolar disorder affect someone over time?