Rosh Psychiatry Board Practice Exam 2025 - Free Psychiatry Board Practice Questions and Study Guide

Bipolar I Disorder is characterized by the occurrence of cycling between episodes of major depression and episodes of mania or hypomania. A defining feature of this disorder is that individuals experience these distinct mood episodes, where manic episodes involve elevated, expansive, or irritable mood along with increased goal-directed activity or energy, and depressive episodes are marked by low mood and a decrease in interest or pleasure in activities.

The alternating nature of these episodes is what distinguishes Bipolar I Disorder from other mood and mental health disorders. While Major Depressive Disorder primarily involves episodes of depression without accompanying manic phases, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder focuses on excessive anxiety and worry rather than mood fluctuations, Bipolar I specifically requires the presence of at least one manic episode. Schizophrenia is a severe mental health condition characterized by symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations, rather than mood cycles. Therefore, the key to identifying Bipolar I Disorder is recognizing the cyclical patterns of mood changes.