Do Men and Women Experience Bipolar Disorder Differently?

Bipolar disorder affects men and women in equal numbers, and the symptoms are essentially identical. But some key differences do exist—differences that might be due to biological factors, and social ones, too. For starters, research has consistently shown that women have higher rates of bipolar II disorder, “which typically presents as a chronic depressive disorder with periods of hypomania,” according to Candida Fink, MD, a board-certified child, adolescent and adult psychiatrist with a private practice in Westchester, N.Y. There’s a misconception that bipolar II disorder is less severe than bipolar I because mania can have devastating consequences—from bare bank accounts to broken relationships. However, bipolar II disorder has unique characteristics and complications. The depressive episodes can be very severe, and hypomania also can come with painful consequences. In the past, it was believed that women experience more depressive episodes than men, along with higher rates of rapid cycling (four or more episodes per year) and mixed episodes (simultaneously experiencing symptoms of mania and depression). But today’s research is less clear, said Dr. Fink, co-author of several books on bipolar disorder. Differences in Co-Occurring Conditions What is clear is that differences do exist in the physical illnesses that strike women and men with bipolar disorder. Women with bipolar disorder have “three times higher rates of hypothyroidism compared to men,” and “th...
Source: Psych Central - Category: Psychiatry Authors: Tags: Bipolar Disorders Gender General Men's Issues Women's Issues Bipolar Disorder bipolar disorder and pregnancy bipolar I Bipolar Ii Gender Differences men and bipolar disorder menopause and bipolar disorder menstruation and bipolar Source Type: news