Diagnosis of this Bipolar Disorder requires at least one Manic or Mixed episode, but there may be episodes of Hypomania or Major Depression as well. (This diagnosis conforms to the classic concept of manic depressive illness.)

Bipolar I Disorder

Diagnostic Features (DSM-IV, p. 350)

The essential feature of Bipolar I Disorder is a clinical course that is characterized by the occurrence of one or more Manic Episodes or Mixed Episodes. Often individuals have also had one or more Major Depressive Episodes. Episodes of Substance-Induced Mood Disorder (due to the direct effects of a medication, or other somatic treatments for depression, a drug of abuse, or toxin exposure) or of Mood Disorder Due to a General Medical Condition do not count toward a diagnosis of Bipolar I Disorder. In addition, the episodes are not better accounted for by Schizoaffective Disorder and are not superimposed on Schizophrenia, Schizophreniform Disorder, Delusional Disorder, or Psychotic Disorder Not Otherwise Specified.

Diagnosis Codes DSM-IV-TR

References

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, 1994 (DSM-IV). American Psychiatric Association, 1400 K Street NW, Suite 1101, Washington, DC 20005-2403 USA.