Psychosis. Psychotic. Schizophrenia. Schizophrenic. We hear the words often, used in the media, online, and on the street. Sometimes they’re used correctly, but many times they’re not. So let’s take a look at schizophrenia vs. psychosis and the difference between the two because a lack of understanding of these terms often causes misunderstandings of the people who experience schizophrenia and psychosis.

Psychosis is part of schizophrenia, and it can be part of other disorders as well. Psychosis is a concept that describes specific symptoms. Schizophrenia is a mental illness that has psychotic features. When broken down into symptoms, the notion of schizophrenia vs psychosis makes sense.

Schizophrenia vs Psychosis: The Symptoms

Psychosis isn’t a mental disorder by itself. Instead, specific features define the experience we call psychosis. The psychotic symptoms include:

• Hallucinations (sensing things that aren’t there)
• Delusions (strongly believing things that aren’t true)
• Confusion
• Inability to think clearly or put thoughts together coherently
• Rapid, racing thoughts
• Confused speech (that reflects unclear thinking and racing thoughts)
• Disorganized behavior (erratic, unpredictable, illogical, agitated, inappropriately loud)
• Catatonic behavior (unresponsiveness and holding body in one position for an extended period)

In psychosis, not all of these need be present. Hallucinations and/or delusions are almost always part of psychosis.

In schizophrenia, psychosis is the first criteria that must be met for a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Without psychosis, there is no schizophrenia. However, psychosis alone does not comprise schizophrenia. To have schizophrenia, someone must also experience other symptoms:

• Negative symptoms (reduced emotional expression, loss of motivation, speech and/or sense o pleasure); negative features are prominent
• Level of functioning is greatly disrupted

The difference between psychosis and schizophrenia is that psychosis refers to symptoms and can be part of many things. Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that includes the symptoms of psychosis.

Psychosis Isn’t Just for Schizophrenia

Not everyone who experiences psychotic symptoms has schizophrenia. Other disorders involve psychosis too, such as psychotic disorders, mood disorders, and substance use disorders.

For an accurate diagnosis, doctors must tease out the symptoms. It can be challenging and confusing because the symptoms of the various disorders often overlap. To determine if someone has schizophrenia or a different disorder with psychotic features, doctors consider:

• All of the symptoms someone is experiencing (psychotic and otherwise)
• What symptoms are missing (for example, schizophrenia involves negative symptoms, so if no negative symptoms are present, the doctor rules out schizophrenia)
• Age
• Family history
• Severity of the symptoms
• Timing of the symptoms (do the psychotic features occur on their own or always with something else)
• Duration of the symptoms

When doctors do this, they are deciding on the right diagnosis to best help someone facing these challenges. They consider schizophrenia as well as other disorders that can have psychotic features (Bipolar and Schizophrenia: What's the Difference?).

Disorders with Psychosis: Schizophrenia or Something Else?

Several different illnesses can be associated with psychosis. The categories are

• Psychotic disorders (schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, schizophreniform disorder, catatonia, delusional disorder)
• Mood disorders (bipolar disorder, cyclothymic disorder, major depression, dysthymia, premenstrual dysphoric disorder)
• Substance use disorders

Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders all involve psychosis. Other features differentiate them from each other:

• Brief psychotic disorder involves the appearance of one- to three psychotic symptoms that last no more than one month
• Delusional disorder involves only delusions (or, if there are hallucinations, they are mild and related to the delusion)
• Schizophreniform disorder most closely resembles schizophrenia but differs in that schizophreniform lasts less than six months
• Schizoaffective disorder is a psychotic disorder with strong mood features

All of the psychotic disorders are somewhat difficult to distinguish from schizophrenia even with these symptoms, features, and criteria because people aren’t black-and-white like a diagnostic manual.

Schizophrenia vs. Mood Disorders with Psychotic Features

The big question when someone is experiencing psychotic symptoms and mood symptoms is whether they have a psychotic disorder like schizophrenia with mood features or a mood disorder with psychotic features. Here’s why:

• Schizophrenia’s negative symptoms are very much like depression.
• Schizophrenia’s positive symptoms, such as disorganized behavior, can look a lot like bipolar mania.
• In their extreme forms, both depression and bipolar disorder can have psychotic features.

For the most effective treatment, doctors and the individuals who are living with the disorder(s) must decide between:

• depression with psychosis vs schizophrenia
• schizophrenia vs bipolar psychosis.

Timing is key. If mood symptoms occur only during a psychotic episode, then the diagnosis is schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. If the mood symptoms occur on their own but sometimes are accompanied by psychotic features, the diagnosis is a mood disorder.

Drug-Induced Psychosis vs Schizophrenia

Substance use, abuse, and withdrawal can cause psychotic symptoms. Substance-induced psychosis vs schizophrenia is another difficult comparison.

The use and abuse of illegal drugs can induce psychotic symptoms during use as well as throughout the withdrawal period (sometimes far beyond that). Heavy alcohol use and withdrawal also cause psychosis. If someone experiences psychosis only when using or withdrawing from drugs, he or she does not have schizophrenia. There is the possibility, though, that the substance use is to self-medicate schizophrenia symptoms.

Understanding similarities and differences between schizophrenia and psychosis will lead to better treatment and prognosis for people living with either one.

article references

Am I a schizophrenic? Am I developing schizophrenia? Being concerned about your mental health is a good thing. It can lead to your seeking information and taking action to live well. This concern, though, can become very frightening when you’re experiencing thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that feel like they’re not “normal.” This fear can relate to the symptoms of schizophrenia.

What is Schizophrenia, Anyway?

Schizophrenia is a well-known term. Unfortunately, that’s about all that’s well-known. There is a great deal of misunderstanding and stigma around schizophrenia, and some of the confusion might be making you ask, “Am I schizophrenic?”

Society throws around the word “schizophrenic” when it makes no sense. Casual statements such as these might make you question whether you have schizophrenia when you’re unsure about what you’re experiencing:

• “She’s so psychotic.”
• “He’s out of his mind.”
• “You’re delusional.”
• “Look at him. He’s so schizophrenic.”

These statements can make you question your own sanity. An important thing to question is what these statements mean in relationship to schizophrenia. It’s helpful to know a little bit about schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia is an illness of the brain that involves what is known as positive symptoms, negative symptoms, and cognitive symptoms (Difference Between Positive and Negative Symptoms of Schizophrenia). Together, these include experiences such as:

• Hallucinations (seeing, hearing, feeling, tasting, and/or smelling things that aren’t really there)
• Delusions (false beliefs that the person strongly believes are true)
• Disorganized speech, behavior
• Blunted emotions, lack of motivation, withdrawal
• Memory problems, difficulty with rational thoughts, problem-solving

So if someone accuses you of being psychotic (or “psycho”) for example, check with yourself to see if you are experiencing hallucinations and/or delusions. If you are, you can investigate further. If you’re not, dismiss the person as ignorant.

I Think I’ve Hallucinated. How Do I Know If I Am Becoming Schizophrenic?

This question is what makes this issue complex. If you are experiencing the symptoms of schizophrenia listed above, it’s okay to wonder about them. Early signs of schizophrenia include:

• Withdrawal or even complete isolation
• Mood changes, especially depression-like
• Mild hallucinations (catching movement in your field of vision or hearing something vague)
• Mild delusions (“odd” beliefs that others don’t buy into)

Typically with schizophrenia, the person isn’t aware that she is hallucinating or that her beliefs are delusional. Schizophrenia is so serious and all-encompassing because the person thinks he is fine.

Some people might tell you that if you are asking whether or not you have schizophrenia and wondering if you’ve had hallucinations and delusions, then you’re not becoming schizophrenic. That may be true, but it’s not that simple. People with schizophrenia can have what’s called insight. That means they know that what they think and sense might not be real. But they also think that these things might be real, and telling the difference can be difficult.

Common Questions People Ask Themselves When Considering Schizophrenia

As you work on answering your question, “Am I schizophrenic?” consider asking yourself these common questions:

• Do other people see the things that I’m seeing, hear what I hear, etc.? You can casually ask others to see what they say. That said, schizophrenia makes people withdraw from others, so if that’s happening, pay attention.
• Do I have an explanation for my hallucinations, and what is it? If your answer seems a bit odd to you, or if you share it with someone and they think it doesn’t make sense, this could be a sign of a delusion. For example, if you believe that you’ve been placed here on a special mission and you’re sensing special things because you’re being tested or trained, you are having a delusion.
• Is this just part of being a teenager (if you are, in fact, a teenager)? While the teen years bring challenges and are an intense stage of growth and development, it is not part of adolescence to have the symptoms of schizophrenia (What Are the Schizophrenia Symptoms in Children and Teens?).

If you notice any of the symptoms and signs of schizophrenia, there are things you can do:

• Take an online schizophrenia test. Some call it an “Am I Schizophrenic Test.” These tests ask you about your symptoms and experiences and, while they don’t diagnose you, they can recommend that you see a doctor, depending on your responses.
• If you are aware of your senses and beliefs (if you have insight) but aren’t sure if they’re “normal” or “odd,” pay attention to other people. What are their comments and reactions to your beliefs? You can even directly ask people with whom you are comfortable.
• See a doctor or a therapist. Seeking professional input and help is the best way to treat schizophrenia.

Know yourself, and when that’s hard, let others help. Professional treatment is essential because if you do have schizophrenia, the sooner you begin treatment, the better you’ll respond to it.

article references

Online bipolar screening test. If you're looking for the signs of bipolar disorder in yourself, take the online bipolar screening test.

Look for signs of bipolar disorder

Read the following lists and put a check mark by each sign that sounds like you now or in the past:

Signs of mania (ups)

I feel like I'm on top of the world.

I feel powerful. I can do anything I want, nothing can stop me.

I have lots of energy.

I don't seem to need much sleep.

I feel restless all the time.

I feel really mad.

I have a lot of sexual energy.

I can't focus on anything for very long.

I sometimes can't stop talking and I talk really fast.

I'm spending lots of money on things I don't need and can't afford.

Friends tell me that I've been acting differently. They tell me that I'm starting fights, talking louder, and getting more angry.

Signs of depression (downs)

I am really sad most of the time.

I don't enjoy doing the things I've always enjoyed doing.

I don't sleep well at night and am very restless.

I am always tired. I find it hard to get out of bed.

I don't feel like eating much.

I feel like eating all the time.

I have lots of aches and pains that don't go away.

I have little to no sexual energy.

I find it hard to focus and am very forgetful.

I am mad at everybody and everything.

I feel upset and fearful, but can't figure out why.

I don't feel like talking to people.

I feel like there isn't much point to living, nothing good is going to happen to me.

I don't like myself very much. I feel bad most of the time.

I think about death a lot. I even think about how I might kill myself.

Other signs of bipolar disorder

I go back and forth between feeling really "up" and feeling really "down."

My ups and downs cause problems at work and at home.

If you checked several boxes in these lists, call your doctor. Take the lists to show your doctor. You may need to get a checkup and find out if you have bipolar disorder.

If you’re at risk for this devastating mental illness, perhaps you’ve asked yourself, “What will life be like if I have schizophrenia?” A few years ago, National Public Radio (NPR) ran a story about a program called, The Sights and Sounds of Schizophrenia, in which a drug company (Janssen Pharmaceutica) created a simulation of the effects of schizophrenia - what it's like experiencing the symptoms of schizophrenia.

People don headphones and goggles, during the simulation, for a trip into the virtual world of someone living with schizophrenia. Here’s a video by the same drug company that will give you a taste of what life with schizophrenia is like. Warning, it’s a powerful video with a look into a patient’s reported experience with the mental illness. You may not want to watch the video if you think you may have schizophrenia now or have had a psychotic episode in the past.

"I have schizophrenia," says movie siren, Megan Fox

Did Megan Fox really say, "I have schizophrenia"? Sort of. After Transformers director, Michael Bay, fired her from the set of the third sequel in the Transformers series, Revenge of the Fallen, Fox is quoted as saying, "I constantly struggle with the idea that I think I’m a borderline personality – or that I have bouts of mild schizophrenia." This just goes to show you that anyone can develop a mental illness like schizophrenia. Of course, no one knows if Fox really suffers from this devastating disease, but the fact that she openly admits that she believes something is wrong and that she needs help is commendable.

The Effects of Schizophrenia

The effects of schizophrenia can prove devastating if left untreated. Imagine having both visual and aural (sound) hallucinations in your everyday life. You feel you have special powers – perhaps magical powers – or that you’re friends with the president. To you, it’s not a fantasy; it’s real. You may hear voices that no one else hears. These voices may say negative things to you, like saying you’re stupid or worthless. They may tell you someone is trying to harm you or those that you love. The voices may instruct you to protect yourself or those you love by taking action against those who want to harm you or them. You may even see things and people that aren’t there.

Living With Schizophrenia When Properly Treated by a Doctor

People living with schizophrenia process information differently than a normal person does. If treated with schizophrenia medications and therapy, life with schizophrenia can look just like anyone else’s normal life – with a few differences. Some days you may need to leave work early because you’re just having one of your “bad spells”. Other days, your different way of looking at and processing the world may cause co-workers to value your creativity and ability to recognize patterns across large swaths of data.

There will be times when you might pick up "extra information" about the people around you. You may feel like everyone can see into your mind. But, when treated properly by a physician, most of the time these disorganized thought processes just reside quietly in the back of the mind.

It is possible to live a fairly normal life with schizophrenia. To do so, you must follow your doctor’s orders and take your medication as instructed and when instructed. Get some support from community groups in your area and attend any counseling sessions ordered by your physician.

article references

Bipolar Articles Table of Contents

• Bipolar Disorder Information
• Bipolar Types
• Bipolar Symptoms
• Bipolar Diagnosis
• Bipolar Treatment
• Bipolar Medications
• Medication Noncompliance
• Bipolar Depression
• Manic Depression
• Bipolar Psychosis
• Bipolar Children
• Bipolar Women
• Bipolar Self-Help
• Bipolar and Relationships
• Bipolar and Food
• Bipolar Support
• Bipolar Blogs
• Bipolar Self Help
• Related Bipolar Information

Bipolar Disorder Information

• Do I Have Bipolar?
• What Is Bipolar Disorder? Definition, Symptoms and Treatment
• Causes of Bipolar Disorder: What Causes Bipolar Disorder?
• Bipolar Quiz
• Bipolar Facts and Statistics: Bipolar Disorder Is Real
• Effects of Bipolar Disorder
• Bipolar Disorder Myths: Separating Fact from Fiction
• Is Bipolar a Disability? Can I Get Benefits?
• Celebrities and Famous People with Bipolar Disorder
• Bipolar Personality Disorder Doesn't Exist

Bipolar Types

• What Are the Types of Bipolar Disorder?
• What Is Bipolar I Disorder? Definitions, Symptoms, Treatment
• What Is Bipolar II Disorder? Definition, Symptoms, Treatment
• What Is the Difference Between Bipolar I and Bipolar II?
• Rapid Cycling Bipolar Disorder: Symptoms, Treatment, Effects
• What is Cyclothymia (Cyclothymic Disorder)? Definition, Symptoms, Treatment

Bipolar Symptoms

• Bipolar Disorder Symptoms: How to Tell If You Have Bipolar
• Bipolar I Disorder Symptoms and How They Affect You
• Bipolar II Disorder Symptoms and How to Treat Them
• What Is Bipolar Mania? Symptoms, Causes and Triggers
• The Impact of Manic Symptoms During Bipolar Mania
• Bipolar Mania Stories: What Is Bipolar Mania Like?
• What Is Bipolar Hypomania? Symptoms, Triggers, Treatment
• What Is a Manic Episode? What Do Manic Episodes Feel Like?
• What Is the Difference Between Mania and Hypomania?
• Why Some Men Ignore Their Bipolar Disorder Symptoms
• Bipolar Screening Test

Bipolar Diagnosis

• How is Bipolar Disorder Diagnosed?
• Bipolar Misdiagnosis: Why It Happens So Frequently

Bipolar Treatment

• Bipolar Disorder Treatment: Medications, Therapy and More
• Types of Bipolar Disorder Therapy and How Bipolar Therapy Helps
• Natural Bipolar Treatments: Treatment of Bipolar Without Medication
• Are There Natural Mood Stabilizers for Bipolar? And Do They Really Work?

Gold Standard for Treating Bipolar

• Gold Standard for Treating Bipolar: Table of Contents
• Gold Standard for Treating Bipolar Disorder
• What Kind of Bipolar Disorder Do I Have?
• What is the Most Effective Treatment for Bipolar Disorder?
• What Medications are Currently Used to Treat Bipolar Disorder?
• How Many Medications For Bipolar Should I Try?
• What About Side Effects of Medications for Bipolar Disorder?
• What is Microdosing?
• What if I'm Only Getting Some Relief From the Bipolar Medications?
• How Can I Get the Most from My Bipolar Medications?
• Are Bipolar Disorder Medications Safe If I'm Pregnant?
• After Medications, What is the Next Step in Managing the Illness Effectively?
• Lifestyle and Behavior Changes
• Does My Diet Have Anything to Do with Bipolar Disorder?
• Does Exercise Really Make a Difference?
• Is Bright Light Exposure Good For Bipolar Disorder?
• What are Triggers and How Do They Affect Bipolar Disorder?
• My Thoughts are Terrible. What Can I Do?
• Do I Need a Therapist?
• Do I Need to Go to the Hospital?
• What if I Need More Help?
• Current Bipolar Disorder Research
• What are Some of the Bipolar Disorder Treatment Challenges?
• What is Treatment-Resistant Bipolar Disorder?
• What if I'm Too Sick to Help Myself?

Bipolar Medications

• Complete List of Bipolar Medications: Types, Uses, Side-Effects
• Bipolar Disorder Medications: Medication for Bipolar
• Mood Stabilizers for Bipolar Disorder
• Do Mood Stabilizers Help Manage Bipolar Anger?
• Side-Effects of Mood Stabilizers and How to Manage Them
• Side Effects of Bipolar Medication and How to Treat Them
• Antipsychotic Medications for Bipolar Disorder
• Complete List of Mood Stabilizers: Types, Uses, Side-Effects
• Bipolar Mania Medications: Which Drugs for Mania Help?

Medication Noncompliance

• Bipolar Treatment: Medications Compliance
• Impaired Awareness of Illness (Anosognosia): A Major Problem for Individuals with Bipolar Disorder
• Why People Deny Mental Illness and Resist Psychiatric Medication
• Stopping Your Bipolar Medications
• Pilled Out: Pilled Out: Why I Keep Quitting Medication for Bipolar Disorder
• Complacency: Another Reason for Medication Non-Compliance
• How to Manage Your Bipolar Medications
• Bipolar Medications Adherence: How to Help
• More Ideas on Managing Your Bipolar Medication
• Not Taking Medications for Bipolar Disorder: Alternatives for Non-Compliance
• How Caregivers Can Help with Medication Compliance

Bipolar Depression

• What is Bipolar Depression? Bipolar Depression vs Depression
• Differences between Unipolar Depression and Bipolar Depression
• Why Bipolar Depression is Often Misdiagnosed

Causes of Bipolar Depression

• What Causes Bipolar Depression?
• What Triggers Bipolar Depression?

Symptoms of Bipolar Depression

• What are the Symptoms of Bipolar Depression?
• What Does Bipolar Depression Feel Like?
• Bipolar Depression Early Warning Signs
• Bipolar Depression in Teens: How Parents Can Help
• Bipolar Depression Symptoms in Men Hard to Deal With
• Bipolar Depression Symptoms in Women
• Role of Mania in Bipolar Depression
• What is a Bipolar Depression Crash? And How to Prevent It
• Bipolar Depression and Anger: What Can I Do About It?

Bipolar Depression Treatment

• The Most Dangerous Bipolar Depression Symptoms and Treatment
• Treatment and Medications for Bipolar Depression
• What are the Medications for Bipolar Depression?
• Treatment Differences Between Depression and Bipolar Depression
• Challenges of Bipolar Depression Treatment
• Treatment-Resistant Bipolar Depression: What Helps?
• Severe Bipolar Depression: Is There Anything That Can Help?
• Ketamine Treatment for Bipolar Depression: Does it Help
• Are Antidepressants Safe and Effective in Bipolar Depression Treatment?
• Bipolar Depression with Anxiety: What Treatments Work
• How Drinking Alcohol Affects Bipolar Depression Medications
• Is There a Cure for Bipolar Depression?
• What Are the Best Medications, Treatments for Bipolar Depression?
• List of Bipolar Depression Medications and Their Side-Effects

Bipolar Depression Therapies

• Bipolar Depression and Light Therapy: Does It Really Work?
• What Natural Treatments Help Bipolar Depression?
• Can Therapy for Bipolar Depression Help Me?

Management of Bipolar Depression

• Bipolar Depression Management Tips
• Overcoming Bipolar Depression: Is It Even Possible?
• 3 Bipolar Depression Coping Skills You Need to Have
• Struggling with Bipolar Depression? Try These 5 Things
• Help for Bipolar Depression: Where to Find It

Bipolar Depression Quizzes

• Bipolar Depression Test – Bipolar Depression
• A Final Quiz: Name that Depression

Manic Depression

• What is Manic Depression? Symptoms, Test for Manic Depression
• Manic Depressive Symptoms and Living as a Manic Depressive

Bipolar Psychosis

Part 1: What is Bipolar Psychosis?

• What is Bipolar Psychosis?
• A Technical Definition of Psychosis
• Psychosis Quiz #1
• What are Hallucinations and Delusions?
• Psychosis and Mood Swing Complications
• The Progression of Psychosis in Bipolar Disorder
• What Causes Psychosis? Psychosis and the Brain

Part II: A Deeper Understanding of Bipolar Psychosis

• Types of Mania in Bipolar Disorder
• What is the Difference Between Full-blown Mania and Full-blown Psychotic Mania?
• Bipolar Depression with Psychosis
• Suicide and Bipolar Psychosis
• Why Can Psychosis Be So Mean and Scary?

Part III: Medications for Bipolar Psychosis

• Medications Used to Treat Bipolar Psychosis
• Antipsychotics for the Treatment of Bipolar Psychosis and Other Bipolar Symptoms
• A Final Note About Bipolar Psychosis

Bipolar Children

• Bipolar Disorder in Children: Signs, Symptoms, Treatment
• Bipolar Disorder in Teenagers: Signs, Symptoms, Treatment
• Childhood Bipolar Disorder: Growing Up A Bipolar Child
• Child with Bipolar! Is It Possible?
• What Causes Bipolar Disorder in Kids?
• How Bipolar Symptoms Affect a Child
• Is My Child Bipolar Quiz: Bipolar Child Questionnaire
• Bipolar Child Symptoms Checklist
• Mood Stabilizers for Kids: Are They Safe and Effective?
• How Bipolar Medications Affect Children?
• What Is the Best Child Bipolar Disorder Treatment?
• Support for Parents of Bipolar Children: Where to Find It
• Childhood Bipolar Disorder: Are Too Many Misdiagnosed?
• Parenting a Bipolar Child: What You Should Know
• Does My Child Have Bipolar or ADHD? How to Tell the Difference

Bipolar Women

• Pregnancy and Bipolar Disorder (Treatment/Management Issues)
• Mood Stabilizers in Pregnancy: Are They Safe?
• How Bipolar Disorder Symptoms Affect Women Uniquely

Bipolar Self-Help

• What Is Bipolar Disorder Self-Help and Is It Really Helpful?
• How to Cope with Bipolar Disorder: Bipolar Coping Skills
• 3 Key Coping Strategies for Bipolar Mania
• Dealing with Bipolar Depression: How to Cope
• Bipolar Self Help, Support Groups: Where to Find One
• List of Bipolar Support Groups Online
• Free Bipolar Disorder eBook: Introductory Guide to Bipolar Disorder
• 5 Best Bipolar Disorder Self Help Books (and why they are helpful)
• How to Deal with the Stigma of Bipolar Disorder
• Managing Bipolar Disorder: 5 Things You Must Know
• Can You Manage Bipolar Disorder Without Medication?
• Do Real, Natural Bipolar Medications Even Exist?
• Is There a Natural Cure for Bipolar Disorder?
• Natural Herbs, Supplements for Bipolar Disorder
• Bipolar Natural Treatment Diet: Does Diet Affect Bipolar?
• Controlling Bipolar Disorder Is Not Impossible: Here’s How
• Bipolar Disorder and Sleep Problems: What to Do
• Solutions for Bipolar and Insomnia: I Can’t Sleep
• Bipolar and Excessive Sleep Solutions

Bipolar and Relationships

• Bipolar Relationships: What Makes Them So Challenging?
• Tips for Making Your Bipolar Relationship Work
• Why Do Bipolar Relationships Fail?
• Signs the Man You’re Dating Has Bipolar Disorder
• Bipolar Disorder and Infidelity: Why It Happens
• Bipolar in Marriage: Can It Work?

Bipolar and Food

• Eating for Bipolar Disorder: Best and Worst Foods for Bipolar
• Will the Ketogenic Diet Help Bipolar Disorder?
• Bipolar Diet: How Different Foods Affect Bipolar Symptoms
• Coffee and Bipolar Disorder Don’t Mix
• Do Vitamins for Bipolar Help at All?
• Can Bipolar Disorder Symptoms Cause Loss of Appetite?

Bipolar Support

• Supporting Someone with Bipolar: For Family and Friends
• The Role of Family and Friends in a Bipolar Person's Life
• What Does Bipolar Support Really Mean?
• Family Considerations: Effects of Bipolar Disorder on the Family
• Effects of Bipolar Disorder on Family and Friends
• Bipolar Caregiver Guide
• Dealing With A Bipolar Person - Loving Tough
• Dealing with Bipolar Mania: Help for Caregivers
• Bipolar Anger: How To Handle Your Bipolar Relative's Anger
• Do's and Don'ts When Supporting Someone with Bipolar
• Best Things to Say to a Person With Bipolar Disorder
• Worst Things to Say to a Person With Bipolar Disorder
• Twelve Things to Do If Your Loved One Has Bipolar, Depression or Some Other Mood Disorder
• Bipolar Spouse: Coping with Bipolar Husband, Wife
• Bipolar Spouse Support: Survival Strategies
• Dealing with Bipolar Disorder in the Family
• Bipolar Guilt: Feeling Guilty. My Family Member Has Bipolar Disorder
• Bipolar Family Support - Finding Support, Relieving Stress
• Bipolar Help: Self-Help For Bipolar and How to Help a Bipolar Loved One
• Living with Bipolar and Living with Someone Who Is Bipolar

Related Bipolar Information

• Bipolar Self-Help
• Bipolar Disorder Books
• Bipolar Disorder Videos
• Bipolar Disorder Library - Additional Articles
• Bipolar Disorder Chat Transcripts
• Suicide Information

Bipolar Blogs

• Breaking Bipolar
• I'm Bipolar Too
• Bipolar Vida 
• Work and Bipolar or Depression

This bipolar depression test may help you determine if you have the symptoms of bipolar depression. Please keep in mind, there are other illnesses and medications that can mimic the signs of bipolar disorder and bipolar depression. That's why it's important to discuss the results of the bipolar depression test with your doctor. Only a doctor or other mental health professional can diagnose bipolar depression.

Take the Bipolar Depression Test

When done, print the bipolar depression test (bipolar depression quiz) and share the results with your doctor.

1. Do you experience extreme mood changes – going from extremely happy to extremely sad?

Yes Sometimes No

2. Do you have anyone in your family (include all relatives) who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder?

Yes No

3. Do you experience periods where you feel any of the following (check all that apply):

Persistent sad, anxious or "empty" feelings
Feelings of hopelessness and/or pessimism
Feelings of guilt, worthlessness and/or helplessness
Irritability, restlessness
Loss of interest in activities or hobbies once pleasurable, including sex
Fatigue and decreased energy
Difficulty concentrating, remembering details and making decisions
Insomnia, early–morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping
Overeating, or appetite loss
Thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts
Persistent aches or pains, headaches, cramps or digestive problems that do not ease even with treatment

4. Have you ever experienced any of these symptoms for a period of at least one week?

Elevated mood
Euphoria
Hyperactivity
Excitement
Overconfidence
Grandiosity
Extravagance
Spending sprees
Recklessness
Delusions of grandeur
Talking a lot
Rapid speech
Rapid movements
Reduced need for sleep
Increased appetite
Excessive exercising
Increased libido
Increased use of alcohol
Distractedness
Aggression
Excessive laughter
Anger

Results of Bipolar Depression Test

If you checked yes or sometimes to bipolar depression test question 1, it's possible you exhibit the traditional signs of bipolar disorder.

If you check yes to question 2, bipolar disorder does have a genetic component and research shows bipolar disorder tends to run in families.

Question 3 measures the traditional symptoms of major depression. If you've experienced five (or more) of those symptoms during the same 2-week period and at least one of the symptoms is either: (1) depressed mood or (2) loss of interest or pleasure, this is an indication you may have Major Depressive Disorder.

Question 4 of the bipolar depression test measures the symptoms of mania and hypomania. Remember, the difference between bipolar depression vs depression is the person must have also experienced the symptoms of bipolar mania or hypomania. If you checked off symptoms in this question and question 3, please discuss the possibility that you might have bipolar depression with your doctor or mental health professional.

Print this page with your bipolar depression test results to share with your doctor.

Read more about: Symptoms of Bipolar Depression

Bipolar disorder is a treatable mental illness from which recovery is possible. Bipolar disorder affects about 1% of the population. However, living with bipolar or a bipolar person can be extremely challenging due to treatment issues and the issues around bipolar disorder itself.

Living with Bipolar

Bipolar disorder is an illness and like other incurable illnesses, its symptoms must be managed. For a person living with bipolar disorder this often means:

• Education about bipolar disorder
• Bipolar disorder therapy
• Learning ways of coping with bipolar symptoms and life stress
• Medication treatment 
• A regimented daily schedule including good sleep hygiene, eating and exercising

These factors can affect almost every moment of the day and put a lot of pressure on those living with bipolar. But these things are necessary to try to prevent future bipolar episodes.

Additional pressures come from side effects of bipolar medication treatment. Living with bipolar disorder often means living with an array of side effects like:

• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Battles with weight
• Headaches

More on side effects from bipolar medication and how to treat them

And others that are individual to the person. This can make a person feel physically sick as well as mentally sick leading to missed days of work or school or not being able to fully take part in family activities.

The keys to successfully living with bipolar is to strictly stick to the bipolar treatment plan, get early medical intervention for any occurring episodes, and to reach out to others for support and help when needed.

Living with Someone Who Is Bipolar

Living with someone with bipolar is not easy either. This loved one has to support someone with an incurable illness and this places extreme stress on the relationship. Clear boundaries need to be drawn between what a loved one can or cannot do for the person with bipolar disorder. It is often the case that living with a bipolar spouse harms the mental health of the loved one, making the relationship even more challenging.

When living with someone with bipolar, it's important to remember:

• The illness is not your or your loved one's fault. You cannot "fix" the bipolar but you can support the person with bipolar.
• Each person experiences bipolar disorder differently so while education is crucial, listening to the loved one with bipolar is equally important.
• You can offer to help with health care appointments, medication schedules and the like, but you shouldn't become the "bipolar drill sergeant."
• It takes time for treatment to work and it may be many months before your loved one is stable. Patience and support are crucial during this time.

More on how to help someone who is bipolar.

When living with a bipolar person, it's also important to get help for you too. Agencies like the National Alliance on Mental Illness¹ and the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance² are useful in connecting with other loved ones living with a person with bipolar disorder. Family therapy for the person living with bipolar and their loved ones is also a good way of handling the stresses of mental illness.

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Bipolar disorder is a recognized, treatable mental illness (treatment of bipolar disorder) that can be scary at first, but bipolar help is available, both for the patient and their loved ones. Once people learn about bipolar help, the illness is much more manageable and less frightening for all.

Read also: Living with Bipolar and Living with Someone Who Is Bipolar

Bipolar Disorder Self-Help

diagnosed with bipolar disorder, a whirlwind of activity often takes place. Psychiatrists and medications for bipolar are involved, sometimes there is inpatient treatment needed and the amount of information can be overwhelming. It has been shown though that those who have a factual understanding of their illness and the surrounding issues have fewer bipolar episodes overall, so obtaining educational bipolar self-help is critical. Bipolar help also comes in the form of support from loved ones and from formal bipolar disorder help and support groups.

Places to look for bipolar disorder self-help:

• Bipolar Books – many books are available about bipolar disorder, about people living with bipolar disorder and in the form of bipolar self-help workbooks. Books have the advantage of being available in your own home and can be worked through at any pace.
• National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) – NAMI offers support and resources to those with a mental illness and their loved ones. There are NAMI offices throughout the US. Find a local NAMI office¹ on their site.
• The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance provides bipolar self-help, education, support and advocacy services.
• The National Institute of Mental Health provides excellent self-help bipolar information and support mental illness research.
• Mental Health America provides mental health information and bipolar help resources.

Bipolar Help: Helping a Bipolar Loved One

can be hard to find if you don’t know where to look. Learn where to find self-help for bipolar and bipolar help for loved ones. Once being Helping a loved one with bipolar disorder can be difficult at times. Often loved ones don't know much about bipolar disorder and are afraid of doing the wrong thing. Help is available for both the person with bipolar disorder and their loved ones though; no one has to support a person with bipolar disorder alone. Places to look for bipolar help of a loved one include all of the above resources as well as:

• Find bipolar help near you by using the service locator provided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: http://store.samhsa.gov/mhlocator
• National Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health: http://www.ffcmh.org/
• Families for Depression Awareness provides resources and support for loved ones of people with depression or bipolar disorder: http://www.familyaware.org/

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Pregnancy and bipolar disorder can introduce a new set of complications and women of childbearing age with bipolar disorder face certain increased risks. Pregnancy and delivery can influence the symptoms of bipolar disorder:

• Pregnant women or new mothers with bipolar disorder have a sevenfold higher risk of hospital admission.
• Women who are bipolar and pregnant have a twofold higher risk for a recurrent episode, compared with those who have not recently delivered a child or are not pregnant.

Careful planning for pregnancy and bipolar complications can help minimize symptoms and avoid risks to the fetus. Experts suggest it is important to avoid sudden changes in bipolar medication during pregnancy because such changes may increase side effects and risks to the fetus, and also increase the risk of bipolar relapse before or after the woman gives birth.

Bipolar Medications and Pregnancy

To reduce risk to the fetus, it's optimal to prevent bipolar relapse and expose the unborn child to as few bipolar medications as possible. Studies show that exposure to only one mood stabilizer during pregnancy is less harmful to the developing fetus than exposure to multiple medications.

(Learn more about Bipolar Disorder Medications.)

Mood Stabilizers During Pregnancy

Mood stabilizers during pregnancy can cause risk to the fetus and have been shown to cause birth defects. However, mood stabilizers taken at the time of pregnancy are often continued as getting off the drug while pregnant may be riskier to the fetus than the medication. Valproate (Depakote) is an exception, however, and should be avoided altogether.¹

Pregnancy and bipolar can be difficult to manage but after a review of literature, it was found that lithium or lamotrigine are preferred mood stabilizers during pregnancy, if necessary. While taking lithium, it is important women stay hydrated to prevent lithium toxicity in themselves and the fetus. Careful monitoring of lithium levels, especially during delivery and immediately after birth, can help prevent a relapse in the mother and will also show if there are high lithium levels in the infant.

Lithium is the only drug proven to reduce the rate of relapse of illness from nearly 50% to less than 10% when women continue or begin lithium after giving birth. Lithium and lamotrigine (Lamictal)² are secreted in breast milk so breastfeeding should be avoided.

Breastfeeding while taking mood stabilizers is not recommended as the medication is secreted into breast milk but the American Academy of Pediatrics indicates the following bipolar medications are likely not harmful during breastfeeding:

• Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
• Valproate (Depakote)

(Learn more about Mood Stabilizers for Bipolar Disorder.)

Antipsychotics in Pregnancy

Information on antipsychotics in pregnancy is limited. At this time, it appears atypical antipsychotics have limited detrimental impact on the fetus during bipolar pregnancy but the medication is excreted in breast milk so breastfeeding should be avoided. There is a concern with increased birth weight when olanzapine is taken during pregnancy, however. Weight gain, blood sugar levels, and blood pressure should be monitored carefully in all pregnant women taking atypical antipsychotic medications.¹

There is no long-term study on the children born to mothers who used antipsychotics during pregnancy.

(Learn more about Antipsychotic Medications for Bipolar Disorder.)

Bipolar Medications in Pregnancy: Tranquilizers and Sedatives

Tranquilizers like lorazepam (Ativan) should be avoided in first trimester due to increased risk of congenital malformations and shortly before delivery due to risk of floppy infant syndrome. For pregnancy and bipolar, medications that stay in the body the least amount of time are preferred. Sedatives and hypnotics are excreted in breast milk, but there have been few reports of complications due to their use.

Pregnancy and Bipolar: Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for bipolar disorder is considered safe and effective for the mother and fetus. ECT is a potential treatment for those bipolar and pregnant in:

• Depressive episodes
• Mixed episodes
• Manic episodes

When used in women who are pregnant, ECT may pose fewer risks than untreated mood episodes or treatment with medications known to be harmful to fetuses. Complications of ECT during pregnancy and bipolar are uncommon. Monitoring heart rate and oxygen levels of the fetus during ECT can detect most problems, and medications are available to correct difficulties. Intubation or antacids may also be used to decrease the risk of gastric regurgitation or lung inflammation during anesthesia for ECT. ECT can be used while breastfeeding.³

Source: NAMI Advocate, Spring/Summer 2004

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When bipolar disorder therapy is added to medication, the treatment is almost always more successful than medication for bipolar alone. While many types of bipolar therapy have been tried and many are successful, four types of short-term bipolar disorder therapy have been researched with positive results.

• Prodrome therapy – nine sessions wherein the therapist and patient come up with, and rehearse, a personalized action plan to be used if symptoms of a bipolar episode appear. The patient carries this plan on a laminated card for easy reference. In a study, 50% of patients who did not receive the bipolar therapy relapsed in a year whereas only 20% of patients who received the therapy relapsed.¹
• Psychoeducation – approximately 21 sessions of education about bipolar disorder and related topics. One study shows those who received the education had one third as many hospitalizations as those who didn't, over the course of two years.² (The treatment program manual used in this study is available for purchase through Amazon.³ )
• Cognitive therapy – 14 sessions with a skilled therapist focus on subjects like medication adherence, early detection and intervention, stress, co-existing conditions and depression. Some programs make use of written "contracts" outlining what a patient will do when specific bipolar symptoms occur. One study showed about 30% fewer patients relapsed over the course of a year than those who didn't receive this bipolar disorder therapy.⁴
• Family-focused therapy – about 21 sessions that includes components of Prodrome, psychoeducation and cognitive bipolar therapy, but also includes the family in all steps (read about living with someone who has bipolar). Also teaches communication skills within the family and prepares the family for what to do in the case of a relapse. Studies have found patients who have received this bipolar disorder therapy have fewer depressed and manic episodes over the course of a year.⁵

What to Think About When Choosing Bipolar Disorder Therapy

The above bipolar therapies are evidence-based, meaning their techniques have been defined and have been scientifically studied. Other types of bipolar disorder therapy may also be helpful for some people ("Can Therapy for Bipolar Depression Help Me?"). When getting bipolar disorder therapy, remember:

• Ask if it is an evidence-based method
• Ask if the therapist is specially-trained in the bipolar therapy technique
• Ask if the therapist is specially trained to work with bipolar disorder
• Consider a workbook. Some bipolar therapies, like cognitive therapy, have comprehensive workbooks available to walk a patient through the process even if a qualified therapist can't be found.
• Consider bipolar group therapy. Bipolar help and support groups can often be found for people with bipolar disorder and other mental illnesses. Bipolar group therapy is useful for many people as it provides social support and reminds them they are not alone.

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