Final answer:
Unipolar disorder involves long-term depressive episodes, whereas bipolar disorder consists of both manic and depressive episodes. These disorders can severely impact one's ability to function in daily life, especially in educational settings.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is MOST accurate to state, while an individual with a unipolar disorder experiences episodes of depression, a person with a bipolar disorder experiences episodes of manic and depressive episodes. Unipolar disorder, often known as major depressive disorder, is characterized by persistent feelings of sadness or a lack of interest in outside stimuli, which — unlike common bouts of feeling blue — can last for days to weeks and are severe enough to interfere significantly with one's life. On the other hand, bipolar disorder involves alternating periods of mania (high energy and euphoria) or hypomania (a milder form of mania) and periods of depression, causing dramatic shifts in mood, energy, and ability to think clearly. These mood episodes can significantly impact a student's ability to function in school, potentially affecting focus, memory, and interest in activities, as highlighted by the International Bipolar Foundation.