What Is Bipolar II Disorder?
Bipolar II disorder is a bipolar spectrum disorder characterized by at least one hypomanic episode and at least one major depressive episode. With this disorder, depressive episodes are more frequent and more intense than manic episodes. In other words, the patient diagnosed with Bipolar II disorder spends more time feeling down than they do at the opposite end of the spectrum. However, bipolar II is cause for greater concern among the bipolar spectrum disorders since there is a greater risk of suicide associated with bipolar II.
How does Bipolar II differ from Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder, which is also often referred to as manic depressive disorder, is a diagnosis that describes a mood disorder characterized by the presence of one or more instances of abnormally high energy levels, cognition and mood, with or without an instance of depression. The elevated moods are referred to as mania, or in milder episodes, hypomania. Many patients who experience mania also may experience episodes of depression, and in some cases, the swings between the mania and the depression can come rapidly, with no "normal" moods in between.
Bipolar II is a bit different in that the patient tends to stay in a state of depression the majority of the time, and the hypomania episodes are far less frequent. In Bipolar II, the hypomania may present itself in the form of irritability, anxiety, racing thoughts, insomnia, or all of these. Since these are generally regarded as negatives, it is sometimes difficult to distinguish between a bipolar II hypomanic state and a depressive state. While hypomania is usually regarded as an elation of mood, the mood may be negative in bipolar II. It is rare that a bipolar II patient experience a state of euphoria.
Bipolar II in the Family
When I finally did the research on Bipolar II, it really struck me, because this is exactly what occurred with my ex-wife. Men will often chalk this up to general moodiness in women, because we are ignorant. In my case, I attributed it to her heavy periods, and bad PMS, and I am sure these did not help her cause. Looking back, it is easy to see that Bipolar II was the heart of her issues, and fortunately she was diagnosed prior to any harm being done to herself.
As mentioned, Bipolar II presents a greater instance of suicide among these bipolar spectrum disorders, for the very fact that patients affected by this ailment spend more time in a depressive state than in a euphoric state. Therefore, anyone who may recognize the symptoms of bipolar disorder in a family member or friend should definitely encourage that person to seek treatment.
Who may be at risk for Bipolar II?
About 2.5% of the population in the United States has been diagnosed with some form of bipolar disorder. Most people are in their teens or early twenties when the symptoms start to appear. Most everyone diagnosed with the disorder are diagnosed before age 50. There is a higher risk to people with family members who have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
Treatment for Bipolar II
The most common treatment for Bipolar II is medication such as mood stabilizers. Lithium or depakote are often the first course of treatment, followed by an antipsychotic such as Abilify. If this course of treatment fails, and antidepressant such as Prozac or Paxil may be employed. However, these are known to trigger a manic episode in patients with bipolar disorder, and this is why the lithium or an antipsychotic is usually the first course of treatment.
Conclusions
Bipolar II has come to the forefront in recent months when actress Catherine Zeta-Jones confirmed her diagnosis of this mental disorder after dealing with husband Michael Douglas' battle with throat cancer. If left untreated, the consequences of Bipolar II can be as devastating as the loss of life. Therefore, it is important for families where the disorder has appeared to pay attention to the signs and symptoms of this Bipolar II.
About the Author
Scott Connor has had experience dealing with depression and Bipolar II disorder with a family member, and as a result has become an advocate for the treatment of clinical depression. For more information, visit http://www.yourtreatmentfordepression.com
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