What Does Episodic Mean in Bipolar Disorder Diagnosis?
Episodic refers to a period of time when the bipolar patient experiences mania or depression. Find out how long episodes last in this video with Ellen Leibenluft, MD, chief of bipolar spectrum disorders at the National Institute of Mental Health.
Transcript
That means that during the time of mania or depression the person is distinctly different from what
they are usually. And then, you would say, well, how long does the episode last. Well, the episode according to the diagnostic criteria, which
are, of course, somewhat arbitrary, but it has to last, I mean for the very mildest form of mania
it has to last for at least four days, for mania at least a week, for depression at least two weeks.
That's the general time frame. Now untreated, these episodes tend to go on-- they can go on for months, particularly
bipolar disorder
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