Initial Discussion Post on Comparison and Contrast between Bipolar Disorder I and Bipolar Disorder II Comprehensive Nursing Essay Example
Compare Bipolar I and Bipolar II Disorder
Bipolar disorder, synonymous with manic depression, is an inheritable psychiatric disorder that entails poorly regulated brain chemistry changes. The changes lead to extreme mood swings (Rowland & Marwaha, 2018). Mania or hypomania is the diagnostic manifestations that mental health providers use to confirm either Bipolar I or Bipolar II disorder. Besides the two genetic-based conditions, Bipolar I and Bipolar II share some primary symptoms like euphoric and expansive mood, which could also be dysphoric. Other common symptoms are decreased need to sleep, rapid thoughts, grandiose self-image, and severe impulsivity. Additional symptoms are distractibility, difficult speech, and heightened energy or increased goal-directed behaviors. (Initial Discussion Post on Comparison and Contrast between Bipolar Disorder I and Bipolar Disorder II Comprehensive Nursing Essay Example)
Contrast Bipolar I and Bipolar II Disorder
A diagnosis of bipolar disorder leaves the patient and their families wondering whether one is worse than the other, hence highlighting the differences since a correct diagnosis will dictate the most appropriate treatment plan (Bobo, 2017). The table that follows captures some of the differences between bipolar I disorder and bipolar II disorder. (Initial Discussion Post on Comparison and Contrast between Bipolar Disorder I and Bipolar Disorder II Comprehensive Nursing Essay Example)
Aspect | Bipolar I Disorder | Bipolar II Disorder |
severity | Serious enough to cause significant impairment at the social and or occupational level, necessitating hospitalization. Psychosis may also manifest.(Initial Discussion Post on Comparison and Contrast between Bipolar Disorder I and Bipolar Disorder II Comprehensive Nursing Essay Example) | Unequivocal alterations in functioning are uncharacteristic of the person when not exhibiting the symptoms. |
Diagnosis | Patient history is enough to make a diagnosis | Others must have observed the person and determined the history as uncharacteristic of the individual. |
Duration | Manic episode that has lasted more than 7 days unless hospital admission is necessary. (Initial Discussion Post on Comparison and Contrast between Bipolar Disorder I and Bipolar Disorder II Comprehensive Nursing Essay Example) | Episode of hypomania must be present for at least 4 consecutive days. |
Manic/hypomania episodes | Episodes of hypomania can occur in patients with existing Bipolar I. (Initial Discussion Post on Comparison and Contrast between Bipolar Disorder I and Bipolar Disorder II Comprehensive Nursing Essay Example) | If Bipolar II shows any history of manic episodes, the diagnosis should be reverted to Bipolar I. |
How Comprehensive Assessment Could Help Psychiatric and Mental Healthcare Providers to Arrive at the Correct Diagnosis
Conducting a comprehensive assessment of the patient plays a crucial role in arriving at the appropriate Bipolar I or Bipolar II diagnosis since the provider examines the social and behavioral influences, the patients and or families’ information needs, and the health risks (Toney-Butler & Unison-Pace, 2018. A thorough, accurate, and comprehensive assessment gives the insight to help distinguish the normal and abnormal condition of the patient. (Initial Discussion Post on Comparison and Contrast between Bipolar Disorder I and Bipolar Disorder II Comprehensive Nursing Essay Example)
References
Bobo, W. V. (2017, October). The diagnosis and management of bipolar I and II disorders: clinical practice update. In Mayo Clinic Proceedings (Vol. 92, No. 10, pp. 1532-1551). Elsevier. (Initial Discussion Post on Comparison and Contrast between Bipolar Disorder I and Bipolar Disorder II Comprehensive Nursing Essay Example)
Rowland, T. A., & Marwaha, S. (2018). Epidemiology and risk factors for bipolar disorder. Therapeutic advances in psychopharmacology, 8(9), 251-269. (Initial Discussion Post on Comparison and Contrast between Bipolar Disorder I and Bipolar Disorder II Comprehensive Nursing Essay Example)
Toney-Butler, T. J., & Unison-Pace, W. J. (2018). Nursing admission assessment and examination.