What condition causes a person to cycle through mania hypomania and major depression episodes?

Bipolar disorder, formerly called manic depression, is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings that include emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression).

How often do people with bipolar disorder cycle between mania and depression?

Typically, someone with bipolar disorder experiences one or two cycles a year, with manic episodes generally occurring in the spring or fall. A 2010 study of people with bipolar 1 disorder found that mood episodes lasted an average of 13 weeks. 1 On average, people with bipolar will have one or two cycles yearly.

Are manic episodes longer than depressive?

Note: depressive episodes were consistently longer than manias (by 39\%–81\%), but in both depression and mania, episode-durations were very similar among the clinical subgroups.

How long do periods of mania and depression last?

Untreated, an episode of mania can last anywhere from a few days to several months. Most commonly, symptoms continue for a few weeks to a few months. Depression may follow shortly after, or not appear for weeks or months. Many people with bipolar I disorder experience long periods without symptoms in between episodes.

What is the difference between mania and hypomania?

Hypomania is a milder form of mania. If you’re experiencing hypomania, your energy level is higher than normal, but it’s not as extreme as in mania. Other people will notice if you have hypomania. It causes problems in your life, but not to the extent that mania can.

What is the difference between manic depressive and bipolar?

All types of bipolar disorder are characterized by episodes of extreme mood. The highs are known as manic episodes. The lows are known as depressive episodes. The main difference between bipolar 1 and bipolar 2 disorders lies in the severity of the manic episodes caused by each type.

What causes manic episodes?

Environmental changes can trigger mania. Stressful life events, such as the death of a loved one, can contribute to mania. Financial stress, relationships, and illness can also cause manic episodes. Conditions like hypothyroidism can also contribute to manic episodes.