Episode Features
A Mixed Episode is characterized by a period of time (lasting at least 1 week) in which the criteria are met both for aManic Episodeand for aMajor Depressive Episodenearly every day (Criterion A). The individual experiences rapidly alternating moods (sadness, irritability, euphoria) accompanied by symptoms of aManic Episodeand aMajor Depressive Episode. The symptom presentation frequently includes agitation,insomnia, appetite dysregulation, psychotic features, and suicidal thinking. The disturbance must be sufficiently severe to cause marked impairment in social or occupational functioning or to require hospitalization, or it is characterized by the presence of psychotic features (Criterion B). The disturbance is not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication, or other treatment) or a general medical condition (e.g., hyperthyroidism) (Criterion C).
Symptoms like those seen in aMixed Episodemay be due to the direct effects of antidepressant medication, electroconvulsive therapy, light therapy, or medication prescribed for other general medical conditions (e.g., corticosteroids). Such presentations are not considered Mixed Episodes and do not count toward a diagnosis of Bipolar I Disorder. For example, if a person with recurrent Major Depressive Disorder develops a mixed symptom picture during a course of antidepressant medication, the diagnosis of the episode is Substance-Induced Mood Disorder, With Mixed Features, and there is no switch from a diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder to Bipolar I Disorder. Some evidence suggests that there may be a bipolar “diathesis” in individuals who develop mixed-like episodes following somatic treatment for depression. Such individuals may have an increased likelihood of future Manic, Mixed, orHypomanic Episodesthat are not related to substances or somatic treatments for depression. This may be an especially important consideration in childrn and adolescents.
Associated Features and Disorders
Mood Disorders
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Associated descriptive features and mental disorders. Associated features of aMixed Episodeare similar to those for Manic Episodes and Major Depressive Episodes. Individuals may be disorganized in their thinking or behavior. Because individuals in Mixed Episodes experience more dysphoria than do those in Manic Episodes, they may be more likely to seek help.
Associated laboratory findings. Laboratory findings for Mixed Episode are not well studied, although evidence to date suggests physiological and endocrine findings that are similar to those found in severe Major Depressive Episodes.
Specific Culture, Age, and Gender Features
Cultural considerations suggested forMajor Depressive Episodesare relevant to Mixed Episodes as well. Mixed episodes appear to be more common in younger individuals and in individuals over age 60 years with Bipolar Disorder and may be more common in males than in females.
Course
Mixed Episodes can evolve from aManic Episodeor from aMajor Depressive Episodeor may arise de novo. For example, the diagnosis would be changed from Bipolar I Disorder, Most Recent Episode Manic, to Bipolar I Disorder, Most Recent Episode Mixed, for an individual with 3 weeks of manic symptoms followed by 1 week of both manic symptoms and depressive symptoms. Mixed episodes may last weeks to several months and may remit to a period with few or no symptoms or evolve into aMajor Depressive Episode. It is far less common for a Mixed Episode to evolve into aManic Episode.
Differential Diagnosis
AMixed Episodemust be distinguished from aMood Disorder Due to a General Medical Condition. The diagnosis is Mood Disorder Due to a General Medical Condition if the mood disturbance is judged to be the direct physiological consequence of a specific general medical condition (e.g., multiple sclerosis, brain tumor,Cushing‘s syndrome). This determination is based on the history, laboratory findings, or physical examination. If it is judged that the mixed manic and depressive symptoms are not the direct physiological consequence of the general medical condition, then the primary Mood Disorder is recorded on Axis I (e.g., Bipolar I Disorder) and the general medical condition is recorded on Axis III (e.g.,myocardial infarction).
ASubstance-Induced Mood Disorderis distinguished from aMixed Episodeby the fact that a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication, or exposure to a toxin) is judged to be etiologically related to the mood disturbance. Symptoms like those seen in a Mixed Episode may be precipitated by use of a drug of abuse (e.g., mixed manic and depressive symptoms that occur only in the context of intoxication with cocaine would be diagnosed as Cocaine-Induced Mood Disorder, With Mixed Features, With Onset During Intoxication). Symptoms like those seen in a Mixed Episode may also be precipitated by antidepressant treatment such as medication, electroconvulsive therapy, or light therapy. Such episodes are also diagnosed as Substance-Induced Mood Disorders (e.g., Amitriptyline-Induced Mood Disorder, With Mixed Features; Electroconvulsive Therapy-Induced Mood Disorder, With Mixed Features). However, clinical judgment is essential to determine whether the treatment is truly causal or whether a primaryMixed Episodehappened to have its onset while the person was receiving the treatment.
Major Depressive Episodes with prominent irritable moodandManic Episodes with prominent irritable moodmay be difficult to distinguish from Mixed Episodes. This determination requires a careful clinical evaluation of the simultaneous presence of symptoms that are characteristic of both a fullManic Episodeand a fullMajor Depressive Episode(except for duration).
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorderand a Mixed Episode are both characterized by excessive activity, impulsive behavior, poor judgment, and denial of problems. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder is distinguished from a Mixed Episode by its characteristic early onset (i.e., before age 7 years), chronic rather than episodic course, lack of relatively clear onsets and offsets, and the absence of abnormally expansive or elevated mood or psychotic features. Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder also sometimes show depressive symptoms such as low self-esteem and frustration tolerance. If criteria are met for both, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder may be diagnosed in addition to the Mood Disorder.
Criteria for Mixed Episode
A. The criteria are met both for aManic Episodeand for aMajor Depressive Episode(except for duration) nearly every day during at least a 1-week period.
B. The mood disturbance is sufficiently severe to cause marked impairment in occupational functioning or in usual social activities or relationships with others, or to necessitate hospitalization to prevent harm to self or others, or there are psychotic features.
C. The symptoms are not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication, or other treatment) or a general medical condition (e.g., hyperthyroidism).
Note: Mixed-like episodes that are clearly caused by somatic antidepressant treatment (e.g., medication, electroconvulsive therapy, light therapy) should not count toward a diagnosis of Bipolar I Disorder.
When done, print the bipolar depression test (bipolar depression quiz) and share the results with your doctor.
Bipolar Disorder Diagnosis 
Written
on September 25, 2013