Differentiating Bipolar Disorder and Schizophrenia: Unraveling Similarities

Introduction

Due to related symptoms, mental disorders are often confused with other disorders. Educating yourself about mental disorder differences can increase your chances of distinguishing between the many disorders. “A mental disorder is a behavioral or mental pattern that causes significant personal functioning distress or impairment” (2018. April). Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive disorder and Schizophrenia, is two examples of mental disorders. They are usually misdiagnosed because they have similar features.

What is Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is traditionally a mental disorder described in ‘insanity’ scenes. (2018, April). Some symptoms can include happiness, distractibility, fracturing, and gaudy. People often show great energy and move, think, and speak quickly. They rest barely anything, but they don’t seem to be sleepless. For example, they may also hallucinate or dream of things that are false or not present. They may be suspicious of people around them who they believe may hurt them. During a hyper scene, some probably hear voices or see things. The bipolar problem often involves acute burdensome scenes (2018, April). Bipolar-confused individuals experience scenes of extreme feelings. These have three main different types of scenes: Hyper scenes are seasons of increased movement and vitality.

A hyper scene can make you feel incredibly happy or sad. Hypomanic scenes are like hyper scenes but less vivid. Bipolar I is the most severe form of the condition. Bipolar I patients experience at least one manic episode with bipolar disease, and most people will also have depressive episodes or at least some depressive episodes. Episodes are defined as symptoms that affect a person for at least one week every day. The manic episodes are experienced in bipolar one but are often extreme for people with bipolar disorder. Bipolar II is usually diagnosed after at least one major depressive episode and at least one hypomania episode. The bipolar II highs are not as high as the bipolar I highs. (2018, April)

Symptoms of Bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder may exist in several types. Mania or hypomania and depression can be included. Symptoms can cause unpredictable changes in mood and behavior, leading to severe distress and life problems. Both a manic episode and a hypomanic episode produce three or more of these symptoms: Unusually upbeat, panicky, or wired; increased activity, energy, or irritation; exaggerated sense of well-being and self-confidence; reduced need for sleep; unusual talkative, racing thoughts; Distractibility, Poor decision making (2018, April).

What is Schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is a serious brain disorder that distorts a person’s way of thinking, acting, expressing emotions, perceiving, and relating to others. People with Schizophrenia, the most chronic and disabled of the most serious mental illnesses, have problems working in society, at work, at school, and in relationships. Schizophrenia can scare and withdraw its patient. It is a life-long disease that cannot be cured but can be treated properly. Schizophrenia is not a split or multiple personality, contrary to popular belief. Schizophrenia is a psychosis, a type of mental illness in which a person can’t tell what is real. (2017, Jan,11)

Symptoms of Schizophrenia

People with Schizophrenia may have several symptoms involving changes in functioning, thinking, perception, behavior, and personality, and they may display different kinds of behavior at different times. It is a long-term mental illness that can show its first signs in men in their late teens or early 20s, while in women, it tends to be in their early 20s and 30s. The period when symptoms first start to arise and before the onset of full psychosis is called the prodromal period. It can last days, weeks, or even years. Sometimes, it can be difficult to recognize because there is usually no specific trigger. A prodrome accompanied by what can be perceived as behavioral changes, especially in teens. This includes a change in grades, social withdrawal, trouble concentrating, temper flares, or difficulty sleeping. The most common symptoms of Schizophrenia can be grouped into several categories, including positive syamptoms, cognitive symptoms, and negative symptoms(n.d).

Bipolar and Schizophrenia compared

Blood tests for bipolar disorder or Schizophrenia are not available. Your physician will conduct a physical and mental evaluation instead. You will be simply asked about any immediate family history of mental health problems, illnesses, and symptoms during the examination. Treatment for bipolar disorder or Schizophrenia includes medication and treatment. Both for bipolar disorder and Schizophrenia, psychotherapy may include Having to learn about mood swings and how to better them by educating family members about the illness so that they can be that that that that that that supportive and help to overcome episodes that help you improve relationships with friends and colleagues who learn to manage their days to avoid possible triggers, such as lack of sleep or stress.

The schizophrenia treatment method involves antipsychotics and psychotherapy. Some of the most common antipsychotics used to treat Schizophrenia are risperidone, aripiprazole, haloperidol, paliperidone, ziprasidone, and olanzapine. A schizophrenic episode can also be experienced and never another. If you’ve only experienced one episode, you may find an organized specialty care program called Recovery After an Initial Schizophrenia Episode (RAISE) helpful. This program offers Family schooling in psychotherapy medicines and supporting work or education.

Symptoms of bipolar disorder and Schizophrenia can often be successfully managed with medication and treatment. The inclusion of a support system increases your risk of handling your symptoms successfully. Family, friends, and people at work can be included in a support system. You have an increased suicide risk if you have either bipolar disorder or Schizophrenia. If you do have suicidal thoughts, see your physician. So, they also can improve outcomes. Treatment centers can help decrease the risk of suicide. To once again reduce your risk, you could also avoid alcohol and drugs.

Conclusion

Due to similar symptoms, mental disorders are often misdiagnosed. Educating yourself about mental disorder differences can increase your chances of distinguishing between the many disorders. A mental disorder is a behavioral or mental pattern that causes significant personal functioning distress or impairment. Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive disorder and Schizophrenia, is two examples of mental disorders. They are usually misdiagnosed because they have similar features.

References

1. National Institute of Mental Health. (2018, April). Mental Disorders. Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/mental-disorders/index.shtml
2. National Institute of Mental Health. (2018, April). Bipolar Disorder. Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/bipolar-disorder/index.shtml
3. National Institute of Mental Health. (2017, Jan 11). Schizophrenia. Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/schizophrenia/index.shtml