Some people may get bipolar disorder and schizophrenia mixed up, as they both can be marked by sudden personality changes. However, while they’re both psychological disorders, they’re not the same.
Diagnosis for both conditions differs, and that means the treatment is specific for both as well. Here are 12 things to know about a loved one suffering from either condition, and how to help them manage it…
The Big Differences
While there are differences in several symptoms, there are some that are dividing between bipolar and schizophrenia, according to Healthline. Those with bipolar disorder will experience “strong shifts in energy, mood, and activity levels,” notes the source.
Meanwhile, those with schizophrenia can have symptoms that present as more severe than bipolar disorder, it adds. While bipolar patients can experience hallucinations and delusions, those are more common markers of schizophrenia, says Healthline. “People with schizophrenia may also experience disorganized thinking in which they are unable to care for themselves,” it notes.