Bipolar disorder is a type of mental disorder. The DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) provides a complete chapter on diagnosing Bipolar and Bipolar Related Disorders. In order to meet the DSM-5 criteria under Bipolar I Disorder, the patient must have an episode of mania that lasts at least one week in duration; or the episode of mania results in hospitalization or impairment within their job or social realms. The episode of mania must not occur because of alcohol, drugs or other medical conditions. Therefore, the patient must be cleared medically prior to being evaluated for Bipolar I Disorder. The patient must also experience mood disturbances that result in consequences at work. These patients may even become a threat to themselves or others during these mood disturbance episodes. Patients must have at least 5 signs/symptoms associated with major depression that occur for two weeks. If the patient meets these criteria, then they may be diagnosed with Bipolar I Disorder.

Bipolar Disorder I: Manic Episodes and Major Depressive Episodes
Mania is characterized by mood disturbances that may be of the following: elation, irritability or expansiveness. In order to be considered a manic episode three of the following signs/symptoms must be present for at least one week or result in severe consequences within the patient’s work, family or social life: grandiosity, decreased need for sleep, pressured speech or excessive talking, flight of ideas or racing thoughts, observable evidence of distractibility; increased goal-oriented focused activity in the home, at work or sexually, and/or pleasurable activities in excess that often have painful consequences.

The patient may also experience signs and symptoms of major depression for at least two weeks. The patient must have at least 5 major depressive signs and symptoms with at least one of the symptoms being a depressed mood or loss of pleasure/interest. Depressed mood may include: fatigue, decreased pleasure or loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyable, significant weight loss or weight gain associated with a loss or increase of appetite respectively, hypersomnia or insomnia, psychomotor retardation or agitation, loss of energy or fatigue, feelings of worthlessness or feelings of excessive guilt, reduced ability or inability to concentrate, marked indecisiveness and/or pre-occupation with death and/or suicide. Patients that have a detailed plan to on how to commit suicide or who have attempted suicide in the past are at higher risk for suicide. These symptoms must not be a result of alcohol, drugs or other medical conditions that affect mood and cognitive function. A patient must be medically cleared prior to diagnosing a psychiatric illness.