Bipolar disorders, which are a form of mood disorders, involve the presence, or history, of Manic Episodes, Mixed Episodes, or Hypomanic Episodes, usually accompanied by the presence, or history, of Major Depressive Episodes.

Bipolar disorders are classified as Bipolar I Disorder, Bipolar II Disorder, Cyclothymic Disorder, or Bipolar Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (NOS).

Bipolar I Disorder: Characterized by one or more Manic or Mixed Episodes, usually accompanied by Major Depressive Episodes.

Bipolar II Disorder: Characterized by one or more Major Depressive Episodes accompanied by at least one Hypomanic Episode.

Cyclothymic Disorder: Characterized by at least 2 years of numerous periods of hypomanic symptoms that do not meet criteria for a Manic Episode and numerous periods of depressive symptoms that do not meet criteria for a Major Depressive Episode.

Bipolar Disorder NOS: Used for coding disorders with bipolar features that do not meet criteria for any of the specific Bipolar Disorders previously defined.


(American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Washington, DC, American Psychiatric Association, 1994.)