What is Bipolar II Disorder?

Bipolar disorder affects around 1-2% of the world’s population. A person with Bipolar Disorder experiences extreme fluctuations in mood, activity, and energy levels. Bipolar disorder is of two types: type I and type 2. A person affected by bipolar type 2 disorder goes through an episode of hypomania or an abnormally elevated mood, followed by an episode of depression.

Bipolar II disorder causes you to experience periods of hypomania followed by periods of depression. The depression is more dominant in most cases. Read on to know more.

Symptoms of Bipolar II

Bipolar II disorder’s hypomania episode symptoms include:

• Extreme restlessness and irritability

• Highly elevated mood and energy levels

• Unable to focus easily and getting distracted

• Talking faster than usual

• Risky behaviour like getting into altercations

• Drinking alcohol, smoking, or using drugs

• Being more creative

• Being unusually sociable, sexually active, or flirtatious

• Feeling extremely self-confident

Bipolar II disorder’s depressive episode symptoms include:

• Feeling empty, despaired, or hopeless

• Having no motivation or energy

• Losing interest in activities you normally enjoy

• Feeling guilty or worthless

• Unable to focus on anything

• Gaining or losing weight rapidly

• Talking or thinking about suicide

Causes

Doctors and researchers are not clear on the exact causes of bipolar II disorder. However, both environmental and genetic factors may play a role in the development of bipolar type 2.

Abnormalities in the brain, stress, and trauma can also trigger Bipolar II disorder in a person who is already genetically predisposed. This means you are more likely to be affected by this disorder if you have a close relative who suffers from bipolar II.

How is it diagnosed?

Bipolar II is often misdiagnosed as depression, as an affected person usually seeks help only during the depressive episode and not during the period of hypomania or elevated mood. Your doctor will ask about your family history and symptoms and rule out other causes by ordering blood tests or brain scans.

Your doctor will confirm a diagnosis of Bipolar II disorder only if you have had a hypomanic episode first and a depressive episode subsequently and all other causes of your symptoms have been ruled out.

Treatment

Treatment for bipolar type 2 is a combination of medicines and psychotherapy. The treatment is long-term and may have to be continued lifelong. If you stop treatment, there is a high possibility that your symptoms will return.