Read 5 key points for identifying schizophrenia and bipolar disorder in one article!


Release Time:

Jul 12,2024

Bipolar disorder, also known as bipolar disorder, has complex manifestations and is easily misdiagnosed as other mental illnesses (such as schizophrenia).

Bipolar disorder, also known as bipolar disorder, has complex manifestations and is easily misdiagnosed as other mental illnesses (such as schizophrenia). In fact, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia are two different diseases with essential differences. How do you distinguish between bipolar disorder and schizophrenia?

 

 

Symptoms and manifestations

 

Similarities:

 

-Hallucinations: Hallucinations can occur in both, but hallucinations in bipolar disorder are mostly transient and consistent with emotional states.

Delusions: Bipolar disorder may present with delusions of grandeur during the manic phase.

 

 

Different points:

Bipolar disorder

Depression: low mood, negative auditory hallucinations.

Manic period: high mood, exaggerated auditory hallucinations and delusions, excessive speech and interaction with people.

Behavior: Relatively safe, non-aggressive.

 

Schizoid

Hallucinations: A variety of hallucinations (auditory hallucinations, visual hallucinations, etc.) are common, and it is difficult to distinguish between true and false.

Delusions: delusions of victimization, delusions of relationships, etc., the content of delusions is absurd.

Language: self-talk, content has nothing to do with the environment.

Behavior: make a scene, hit people and destroy things, the behavior is dangerous.

 

Whether it is manic or depressed, bipolar disorder may be accompanied by mental symptoms (such as hallucinations, delusions, thinking jumps, etc.), but mental symptoms are related to mood, which may be produced when the emotion is high or low, and the patient's mood is coordinated.

In this case, if the patient's emotional symptoms are relieved, the psychiatric symptoms will also be relieved. A diagnosis of bipolar disorder is generally not considered if it is not a psychotic symptom that occurs in a manic or depressive state, and schizophrenia should be considered. The psychotic symptoms of schizophrenia are more persistent and have nothing to do with mood.

 

Starting age

 

 

Bipolar disorder

The first episode usually occurs over the age of 20.

 

Schizoid

Most of the first attack is under 22 years old, male is 18-25 years old, and female is 25-35 years old.

 

Schizophrenia patients are significantly younger than bipolar disorder patients.

 

onset factors

 

 

Bipolar disorder

Genetic factors: family history is obvious.

Biological factors: neuroendocrine, biological rhythm abnormalities.

Environmental factors: psychological pressure is too large, overwork and other triggers.

 

Schizoid

Genetic factors: family history is obvious.

Brain structural abnormalities: such as ventricular enlargement, cortical atrophy, etc.

Environmental factors: childhood trauma, social stress, substance abuse, etc.

 

 

Schizosis has a more pronounced history of chronic development than bipolar disorder

 

intermittent attack period

 

 

Bipolar disorder

Periodic episodes: self-recovery after depressive or manic episodes, and normal mood during the intermittent period.

Disease: The interval between episodes is variable and may be several weeks or months. Then the cycle attacks.

 

Schizoid

Persistent or paroxysmal: symptoms can be sustained or intermittent, often residual symptoms in remission, social function decline.

Course of disease: Chronic development, which may worsen over time.

 

 

Episodes of bipolar disorder are more cyclical, while the course of schizophrenia is more persistent and progressive.

 

Treatment mode

 

 

Bipolar disorder

Medication: mood stabilizers (eg, lithium carbonate, lamotrigine), antidepressants, antimanic drugs.

Psychotherapy: cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), family therapy.

Physical therapy: repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can be used as an adjuvant therapy, and electroconvulsions or modified electroconvulsions can be used for those who are ineffective or intolerant to drugs.

 

Schizoid

Drug therapy: antipsychotics (eg, risperidone, ziprasidone, lurosidone, aripiprazole).

Psychotherapy: supportive psychotherapy, cognitive corrective therapy.

Physical therapy: electroconvulsive therapy, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS).

 

 

 

Summary

Bipolar disorder is dominated by emotional fluctuations, accompanied by some psychotic symptoms, but these symptoms usually change with mood changes. In schizophrenia, hallucinations and delusions are the main symptoms, the course is more stubborn, the symptoms last longer, and the social function is more affected. These meticulous comparisons help to more accurately identify and manage two different mental disorders.