Bi-Polar Information Articles Writings Books Humor Medications Support Links Related Disorders
Bipolar Information
Search Pendulum The Web
Powered by WhatUSeek

Menu
•  Major Depressive Episode
•  Manic Episode
•  Hypomanic Episode
•  Bipolar I
•  Bipolar II
•  Mixed Episode
•  Cyclothymic Disorder


Home: Bipolar Information: Diagnostic Criteria

Diagnostic Criteria for Bipolar Disorder

Manic-depression is the common term for bipolar affective disorder. The standard classification was given by Gerald Klerman, MD, who identified six forms of bipolar disorder (Psychiatric Annals 17: Jan. 1987).

  • Bipolar I: Mania and depression.
  • Bipolar II: Hypomania and depression.
  • Bipolar III: Cyclothymic disorders.
  • Bipolar IV: Hypomania or mania precipitated by antidepressant drugs.
  • Bipolar V: Depressed patients with bipolar relatives.
  • Bipolar VI: Mania without depression.

Onset of bipolar symptoms: "Pooling the data from 22 studies reporting average onset age in bipolar affective illness, the weighted mean is 28.1 years." (Goodwin and Jamison, Manic Depressive Illness, Oxford Univ Press, 1990)

These criteria are excerpts from Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, DSM-IV, © 1994, American Psychiatric Association

Modified June 6, 2005

About Pendulum Feedback


The information at this web site is for consumers, family members and mental health workers to make informed decisions about the care and treatment of bipolar disorder, AKA manic depression. These pages are not a substitute for consultation with your counselor, therapist, doctor, or psychiatrist.

© 2001 Pendulum Resources and by the authors. www.pendulum.org