BIPOLAR II DISORDER
Objective: To simply get an overview of the disorder and illustrate its differences from
Bipolar 1.
Definition of Bipolar Disorder:
- A condition that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels
& ability to carry out day-to-day tasks.
Definition of Bipolar II Disorder:
- Characterized by a clinical course of recurring mood episodes
consisting of one or more major depressive episodes and at least one
hypomanic episode.
- Diagnosed when a person experiences a pattern of depressive
episodes and hypomanic episodes, but not full- blown manic episodes
found in Bipolar I.
- Some Bipolar II patients have longer lasting and more severe bouts of
depression.
Key differences between Bipolar I and Bipolar II Disorder
Features Bipolar I Bipolar II
1. Manic ● Experience at least one ● Never experience
Episodes manic episode (distinct full manic
vs. period of abnormally episodes but
Hypomanic elevated or irritable instead have
Episodes mood, increased hypomanic
energy, racing episode
thoughts, impulsivity, ● Hypomanic
and often impaired episodes are
judgment. similar to manic
● Typically severe and but are less
may requires severe, with
hospitalization symptoms that
do not cause
significant
, impairment in
daily functioning
or require
hospitalization.
2. Depressive ● Both involve recurrent depressive episodes
Episodes ● Episodes marked by prolonged periods of low
mood, loss of interest or pleasure in activities,
changes in appetite or sleep patterns and other
symptoms of depression.
3. Psychosis ● Some may experience ● Not
psychotic features characteristics of
during manic episodes, Bipolar II
or less commonly Disorder
during severe ● Hypomanic
depressive episodes. episode in Bipolar
● Involves distorted II do not typically
thinking, hallucinations lead to psychosis
or delusions.
4. Severity & ● Manic episode are ● Hypomanic
Impairment usually severe and can episode are
lead to significant milder in intensity
impairment in social and generally do
occupational and not cause the
interpersonal same level of
functionality impairment
● However it can be
quite debilitating
during depressive
episode
5. Diagnosis ● When individual ● When an
experiences at least individual has
one manic episode with experienced at
or without depressive least one
episodes hypomanic
episode and one
major depressive
episode
6. Treatment ● Combination of ● Combination of
psychotherapy and psychotherapy