Bipolar and Unipolar Comparison
Bipolar
- Results from disturbances in the areas of the brain that regulate mood
- It involves periods of excitability (mania) alternating with periods of depression
- This may affects men and women equally
- Usually appears between ages 15 – 25
Cause
- Unknown
- It occurs more often in relatives of people with bipolar disorder, if you believe you have bipolar you might want to visit somewhere like https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/mental-health/bipolar-disorder/ for more information.
Symptoms
Manic Phase
- Agitation or irritation
- Elevated mood (hyperactivity, increased energy, lack of self-control, racing thoughts)
- Inflated self-esteem (delusions of grandeur, false beliefs in special abilities)
- Little need for sleep
- Over-involvement in activities
- Poor temper control
- Reckless behavior (binge eating, drinking, and/or drug use, impaired judgment, sexual promiscuity, spending sprees)
- Tendency to be easily distracted
Depressed Phase
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
- Eating disturbances
- Fatigue or listlessness
- Feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness and/or guilt
- Loss of self-esteem
- Persistent sadness and thoughts of death
- Sleep disturbances
- Suicidal thoughts
- Withdrawal from activities that were once enjoyed
Medical Intervention
- Proper History Taking and Observation
- Antipsychotic medications (such as lithium and mood stabilizers or antidepressant for depressive phase)
- Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
Nursing Interventions
- Provide a calm environment
- Giving health teachings about regular exercise, and proper diet
- Explain to patient that getting enough sleep helps keep a stable mood
Unipolar
- Another name for major depressive disorder
- Occurs when a person experiences the symptoms for longer than a two-week period
Causes
- The biopsychosocial model proposes that biological, psychological, and social factors all play a role in causing depression
- The diathesis–stress model specifies that depression results when a preexisting vulnerability, or diathesis, is activated by stressful life events
Symptoms
- Depressed mood
- A lack of interest in activities normally enjoyed
- Changes in weight and sleep
- Fatigue
- Feelings of worthlessness and guilt
- Difficulty concentrating
- Has thoughts of death and suicide
Medical Interventions
- Antidepressants
- Tricyclic antidepressants
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
- Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors
- Electroconvulsive therapy
Nursing Interventions
- Interpersonal Therapy
- Psychotherapy
- Encourage client to have a regular exercise
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Behavioral modification therapy
Difference between Bipolar and Unipolar Disorder
UNIPOLAR | BIPOLAR | |
Gender and Age of Onset | Affects women more often than men, appears later in life | Affects men and woman equally, average age of onset suspected to be 18 years |
Sleep | Generally insomnia, difficulty falling asleep or waking repeatedly during the night | Generally hypersomnia, excessive tiredness and difficulty waking in the morning |
Appetite | Often has a loss of appetite and diminished interest in eating | Often binge-eating and cravings for carbohydrates, may alternate with loss of appetite |
Activity Level | Agitated, pacing and restlessness are more common | Inactivity, somnolence, a slowing down of movements (psychomotor retardation) more common |
Mood | Sadness, hopelessness, feelings of worthlessness | Same as for unipolar, although guilt is often much more prominent |
Other | Episodes often last longer, sometimes more responsive to treatment | Risk of drug abuse and suicide higher than in unipolar depression |