What is bipolar II disorder? Symptoms

What is bipolar II disorder? Symptoms
Lady is happy and sadBipolar II disorder is a form of the psychiatric disorder known as bipolar disorder. All forms of bipolar disorder cause unusual mood swings and shifts in energy and activity levels.
Bipolar II disorder is a form of this disorder characterized by cycles of depressive episodes followed by hypomanic periods. Hypomania is a period of mood and behaviour that is elevated above normal behaviour. It is not as extreme as a manic period.
Symptoms
Symptoms of bipolar II disorder include periods of hypomania followed by depressive episodes.
While it can be normal for people to experience periods of feeling upbeat followed by periods of sadness, in people with bipolar disorder, these swings are more extreme.
People experiencing hypomania may notice a combination of the following symptoms:
·         an increase in energy or feeling more agitated
·         feeling more upbeat or wired
·         increased self-confidence
·         decreased need or inability to sleep
·         racing thoughts
·         talking too fast or talking much more than normal
·         a tendency towards reckless behaviours, such as spending too much, drinking or using drugs, or risk-taking
·         impaired decision-making
For these periods to be classified as true hypomanic episodes, they must last for at least 4 days and have at least three of the above symptoms.
People experiencing hypomania may feel very good during these periods, and may not know anything is wrong. However, loved ones watching a person with bipolar II disorder will notice abnormal changes in behaviour during hypomanic episodes.
When people with bipolar II disorder are not in a hypomanic state, they may be in a major depressive state. Symptoms of major depressive episodes include the following:

An inability to sleep may be a symptom of a major depressive episode.
·         feelings of sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness
·         loss of interest in activities
·         inability to sleep or sleeping too much
·         decreased energy
·         feelings of worthlessness and guilt
·         trouble concentrating or focusing
·         weight gain or weight loss without dieting
·         suicidal thoughts or tendencies
Other signs and symptoms of bipolar II disorder may occur during both periods of hypomania and major depressive episodes. These may include the following:
·         anxiety
·         melancholy
·         rapid cycling between states
Risk factors
There are no known risk factors for bipolar II disorders, although some studies suggest there may be a genetic component.
Having a first-degree relative with bipolar II disorder may increase a person's chances of being diagnosed with the same or a similar condition.


Bipolar disorder: Signs, symptoms, and diagnosis
Having a better understanding of bipolar disorder can help people access the treatment they need and reduce stigma around this manageable condition.
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Diagnosis
Bipolar II disorder can be hard to identify and is often misdiagnosed as a major depressive disorder because symptoms of hypomanic periods are mild and unrecognized by the individual.
When diagnosing bipolar II disorder, a doctor will do a physical exam and may order some blood tests to rule out physical causes of symptoms.

If a doctor does not find any physical causes for a person's symptoms, such as a hormonal imbalance, they may do a psychiatric evaluation or refer the person to a psychiatrist for further evaluation.

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