Filed In:
Bipolar II Disorder
The distinguishing characteristic of Bipolar II Disorder (manic depression) is the hypomanic episode (as opposed to the manic episodes of Bipolar I Disorder). Major depressive episodes are also part of this type of bipolar disorder.
What is Bipolar II Disorder?
Bipolar 2 disorder, also called Bipolar II, has many of the same symptoms Bipolar 1, but with hypomania instead of mania and some other important differences.
Evidence Shows Bipolar 2 is as Disabling as Bipolar 1
People think of bipolar 2 disorder as being "milder" than bipolar 1, but the evidence shows that even though people with bipolar 2 experience hypomania instead of mania, there are other factors that make bipolar 2 just as disabling a condition as bipolar 1.
Diagnosing Bipolar II Disorder
There are five measures needed for a diagnosing Bipolar II Disorder.
Bipolar II: Mood Swings Without "Manic" Episodes
Psychiatrist James Phelps offers information on Bipolar II, Mixed States, Cyclothymia, "anxious depression" and more. Some of his descriptions extend the definitions in DSM-IV, but many experts feel that DSM-IV is too limited.
