Question

What are important similarities and differences between the manic phase of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia?

Answer 1

Bipolar disorder may experience episodes of mania and depression, often separated by periods of relative stability. Individuals with schizophrenia experience symptoms of psychosis, such as hallucinations or delusions. Some people with bipolar disorder also experience psychotic symptoms.

Some similarities between the manic phase of  bipolar disorder and schizophrenia are given below:

• Bipolar disorder and schizophrenia are not directly inherited genetically but are likely due to complex genetic, psychological, and environmental risk factors.
• Since there is no test that determines the presence of bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, health care professionals diagnose these illnesses by gathering medical, family, and mental health information and performing physical and mental assessments.
• Medication treatment of bipolar disorder tends to relieve already existing symptoms of mania or depression and prevent symptoms from returning. Antipsychotic medications are most effective in decreasing the positive symptoms of schizophrenia.
• Psychosocial interventions help treat both bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

Some differences between the manic phase of  bipolar disorder and schizophrenia are given below:

• Schizophrenia is a primary psychotic disorder, and bipolar disorder is a primary mood disorder but can also involve psychosis.
• Bipolar disorder is an illness that involves mood swings with at least one episode of mania and may also involve repeated episodes of depression. Schizophrenia is a chronic, severe, debilitating mental illness characterized by psychotic symptoms, meaning that one is out of touch with reality.
• Typically, it first appears between the late teen years and early adulthood. Children can also show signs of bipolar disorder. People usually learn they have it between the ages of 16 and 30. Schizophrenia isn’t usually seen in children.