{"id":58667,"date":"2023-06-01T13:01:59","date_gmt":"2023-06-01T17:01:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=58667"},"modified":"2026-03-17T16:16:31","modified_gmt":"2026-03-17T20:16:31","slug":"bipolar-1-vs-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/bipolar-1-vs-2\/","title":{"rendered":"What is the difference between bipolar 1 and bipolar 2?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Bipolar disorder affects about <\/span>5.7 million adults<\/span> in the U.S. (about 2.6% of the population), ages 18 years and older every year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Bipolar disorder<\/span><\/a> is a chronic mental health condition that dramatically affects mood, energy, and behavior. People with bipolar disorder have intense mood episodes characterized as manic\/hypomanic (abnormally happy, impulsive, or irritable) or depressive (sad). People with bipolar disorder often experience neutral moods as well.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Although there are four types of bipolar disorder, the most common types are bipolar I disorder and bipolar II disorder.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

People with bipolar I disorder experience manic episodes that can be dangerous and require hospitalization. They may or may not have depressive episodes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

People with bipolar II disorder experience hypomania, a milder form of less disruptive mania. They also experience depressive episodes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Continue reading to learn more about the different types of <\/span>bipolar disorder<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Types of bipolar disorder<\/span><\/h2>\n

There are four types of bipolar disorder, the most common being bipolar I disorder and bipolar II disorder.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. Bipolar I disorder<\/b>: People with <\/span>bipolar I disorder<\/span><\/a> experience manic episodes, often lasting at least seven days. During a manic episode, people have a drastic increase in energy that is so disruptive and severe that they require hospitalization. They also may experience depressive moods, which last at least two weeks, and most people experience types of neutral moods. Bipolar I disorder can significantly interfere with relationships and daily activities such as work.<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Bipolar II disorder<\/b>: People with <\/span>bipolar II disorder<\/span><\/a> experience periods of depression lasting at least two weeks. Unlike bipolar I disorder, people with bipolar II do not experience mania (manic episodes). Instead, they have hypomanic episodes, milder, less disruptive forms of manic episodes. They may experience neutral moods in between intense mood states. People with bipolar II are more likely than those with bipolar I to have healthy relationships and steady jobs.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Cyclothymia<\/b>: Cyclothymia, or <\/span>cyclothymic disorder<\/span><\/a>, is a milder form of bipolar disorder that causes less severe symptoms. People in this group experience hypomania and depressive symptoms for at least two years but do not meet the diagnostic criteria for hypomanic and major depressive episodes.<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Other<\/b> specified and unspecified bipolar and related disorders<\/b>: People classified in this group have symptoms similar to those with other bipolar disorder types, but they do not fit into one of the categories above\/meet the full criteria for diagnosis.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    This article focuses on the more common conditions, bipolar I and bipolar II disorder.<\/span><\/p>\n

    What are mania, hypomania, and depressive episodes?<\/span><\/h2>\n

    Before comparing bipolar I and II disorder, it helps to understand more about mania, hypomania, and depressive episodes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Mania (manic episode)<\/span><\/h3>\n

    A manic episode occurs when an individual is euphoric, impulsive, or irritable most of the time for at least a week. They also feel invincible or have a grandiose sense of self\u2014for example, believing they can play professional sports when they have no experience or can cure cancer (without a medical background). During a manic episode, a person may also have more energy than usual and have at least three of the following extreme changes in behavior:<\/span><\/p>\n