Criteria for Bipolar Disorder

For the purposes of tests in this class and the AP Psychology Exam, you only need know that bipolar disorder is:

An affective disorder in which the person alternates between the hopelessness and lethargy of depression and the overexcited state of mania.

In actuality there are two broad categories of bipolar disorder: Bipolar I and Bipolar II.

In general, the individual suffers from Manic Episodes along with Major Depressive Episodes or Mixed Episodes. (Or, the patient cycles between manic episodes normal mood.)

Patients with this disorder have had at least one Major Depressive Episode, at least one Hypomanic Episode, and no Manic Episodes or Mixed Episodes.