Bipolar II disorder is also a form of mental illness. Bipolar II is similar to bipolar I disorder, with moods cycling between high and low over time.
A person with bipolar 1 will experience a full manic episode, however, in bipolar II disorder, the "up" moods never reach full-blown mania. The less-intense elevated moods in bipolar II disorder are called hypomanic episodes, or hypomania. The patient had at least one major depressive episode and at least one hypomanic episode, but he never had a manic episode.
The terms "mania" and "manic episode" describe a state of mind characterized by high energy, excitement, and euphoria over a sustained period of time. During a manic episode, the mania is so intense that it can interfere with the patient daily activities. It’s difficult to redirect someone in a manic episode toward a calmer, more reasonable state.
While the manic episodes of bipolar I disorder can be severe and dangerous, individuals with bipolar II disorder can be depressed for longer periods, which can cause significant impairment. People with bipolar 2 typically do not experience manic episodes intense enough to require hospitalization.
About 2.5% of the U.S. population suffers from some form of bipolar disorder. Most people are in their teens or early 20s when symptoms of bipolar disorder first start. It usually does not get diagnosed until adulthood—it can take up to ten years from the time a person experiences symptoms to the time they actually get diagnosed.
Nearly everyone with bipolar II disorder develops it before age 50. People with an immediate family member who has bipolar are at higher risk.
Hypomanic symptoms, which vary from person to person, include:
*Flying suddenly from one idea to the next
*Having exaggerated self confidence
*Increased sexual energy
*Rapid, "pressured" (uninterruptible) and loud speech
*Increased energy, with hyperactivity
*Having an abnormally high level of activity or energy
*Not sleeping or only getting a few hours of sleep but still feel rested
Bipolar II Disorder
