Bipolar I disorder is characterized by which mood episodes?

Bipolar I disorder is characterized by which mood episodes?

• A. Depressive episodes without mania.
• B. Hypomanic episodes only.
• C. Manic episodes with or without major depressive episodes.
• D. Cyclothymic mood fluctuations.

Answer: (C)

Bipolar I disorder is defined by the presence of manic episodes. A manic episode is a distinct period of abnormally elevated, expansive, or irritable mood with increased energy and activity, lasting at least one week (or any duration if hospitalization is needed), and accompanied by several symptoms such as distractibility, inflated self-esteem or grandiosity, pressured speech, decreased need for sleep, racing thoughts, increased goal-directed activity, and risky behaviors. Importantly, a major depressive episode is not required for the diagnosis, though it often occurs before or after mania. The option describing depressive episodes without mania would not fit bipolar I, because mania is the defining feature. The option describing hypomanic episodes only fits bipolar II, which involves hypomania plus major depression, not full mania. The option describing cyclothymic fluctuations describes cyclothymia, a separate condition with milder, chronic mood swings. So the best description is manic episodes with or without major depressive episodes.

Bipolar I disorder is defined by the presence of manic episodes. A manic episode is a distinct period of abnormally elevated, expansive, or irritable mood with increased energy and activity, lasting at least one week (or any duration if hospitalization is needed), and accompanied by several symptoms such as distractibility, inflated self-esteem or grandiosity, pressured speech, decreased need for sleep, racing thoughts, increased goal-directed activity, and risky behaviors. Importantly, a major depressive episode is not required for the diagnosis, though it often occurs before or after mania.

The option describing depressive episodes without mania would not fit bipolar I, because mania is the defining feature. The option describing hypomanic episodes only fits bipolar II, which involves hypomania plus major depression, not full mania. The option describing cyclothymic fluctuations describes cyclothymia, a separate condition with milder, chronic mood swings. So the best description is manic episodes with or without major depressive episodes.