Bipolar "levels"

Hi everyone. I have a doubt related to the bipolar classification.

I was diagnosed many years ago, so by now I am well aware of the different types of bipolarity and the symptoms of each phase. However, recently my therapists mentioned something to me that I did not know, but I have not been able to find another patient who has heard this.

My therapists mentioned to me that within each type (type 1, type 2, etc.) there are 6 levels and that they categorize the patient accordingly. Something like a type of classification to determine the severity of bipolarity in different patients.

For example, a type 2 person but at level 1 would be less serious than a type 2 person at level 5

Has anyone of you heard or read anything about this? I changed my therapists a few months ago, and this is the first time someone told me something like that.

Maybe for some it is not relevant, but I find it very interesting if there is something like this, since sometimes I feel that the therapeutic approach and the expectations of recovery are the same for everyone, and the more I listen to cases, the more I realize that the development of the disorder is different in different people.

Thanks for reading, and sorry for my bad English.

Never heard of this.

I'm not a fan of too many ''categories'' but what do I know I hope you find something that is helpful to you.

I have heard of people who have consulted five shrinks and received 4 or 5 different diagnoses

So what hope do those ''armchair diagnositicians'' have.. NADA

Also have never heard of this. Would recommend finding a different doctor for a second opinion. Also, your English is wonderful.

I have read that in the future, bipolar disorder might be more refined, in the sense that there are actually a variety of types of bipolarity within each state of mania, depression, and mixed states. And there is rapid cycling, standard months-long episodes, and so on.

To my knowledge, however, such distinctions have not yet been implemented. Maybe they will be added when the DSM 5 is revised, or when the DSM 6 is released.

It's possible that your therapist has her own system of categorizing bipolar "levels." It would be interesting to ask her for clarification.

In the US you are diagnosed with bipolar one or two, then there are features specific to your current or most recent episode. Manic/hypomanic vs. depressed, then each of those can be mild, moderate, severe, with psychotic features, mixed.

Could that be what you are referring to?

Your English is great.

I have never heard of this.

I haven't heard about this either, but one thing that comes to mind is maybe she's referring to the classifiers they have in the DSM?

There is the "Bipolar Spectrum Diagnostic Scale (BSDS)"...Yes, you can have different levels of severity. Just ask your Pdoc and he or she can give you an idea of where you fall on it.

I've never heard or read of the levels myself, but came to the conclusion that they must be using some scale as a point of reference when my Pdoc started using the term "Severe" 2 years ago, when putting anything on paper for me.


When I first saw it I was honestly really aggro, bummed, ticked off and relieved all in one.

Your T has piqued my curiosity now. Think I will ask Parker next session if I don't forget.

Well, some of this is actually from the ICD system, for billing purposes. In the US, that is. There are a whole host of different modifiers used for diagnosis codes--in full remission, severe, blah. That is what I suspect is going on here. No pdoc I have ever had or talked with uses these for anything other than trying to get paid. MD's in the US are paid according to the amount of time spent wiht the pt. and the perceived complexity of said visit.