Bipolar II disorder

**Bipolar II disorder** (**BP-II**) be a mood disorder on de bipolar spectrum, wey be characterized by at least one episode of hypomania den at least one episode of major depression. Diagnosis give BP-II dey require say de individual for never get experienced a full manic episode. Otherwise, one manic episode dey meet de criteria for bipolar I disorder (BP-I).

Bipolar II Disorder be a mood disorder wey be characterized by alternating periods of depression den hypomania, a less severe form of mania. Individuals plus Bipolar II dey experience episodes of major depression, wey be marked by symptoms like persistent sadness, fatigue, den loss of interest insyd activities, as well as episodes of hypomania, wich dey involve elevated mood, increased energy, den impulsivity, buh widout de full-blown manic episodes dem see insyd Bipolar I Disorder.

De disorder often be underdiagnosed secof de hypomanic episodes no fi be as disruptive as full mania. Bipolar II dey tend to be chronic den significantly fi impact a person ein social, professional, den emotional life. Though dem no fully understand de causes, dem believe a combination of genetic, environmental, den neurobiological factors to play a role.

Dem typically manage bipolar II thru a combination of medication (such as mood stabilizers den antidepressants) den psychotherapy. Early diagnosis den treatment fi help mitigate de intensity den frequency of mood episodes. Hypomania be a sustained state of elevated anaa irritable mood wey be less severe dan mania yet still fi significantly affect de quality of life den result in permanent consequences wey dey include reckless spending, damaged relationships den poor judgment. Unlike mania, hypomania no fi include psychosis. De hypomanic episodes dem associate plus BP-II for last for at least four days.

Commonly, depressive episodes be more frequent den more intense dan hypomanic episodes. Additionally, wen dem compare to BP-I, type II dey present more frequent depressive episodes den shorter intervals of well-being. De course of BP-II be more chronic den consists of more frequent cycling dan de course of BP-I. Finally, BP-II be associated plus a greater risk of suicidal thoughts den behaviors dan BP-I anaa unipolar depression. BP-II be no less severe dan BP-I, den types I den II dey present equally severe burdens.

BP-II be notoriously difficult to diagnose. Patients usually dey seek help wen dem be insyd a depressed state, anaa wen dema hypomanic symptoms dey manifest demaselves insyd unwanted effects, such as high levels of anxiety, anaa de seeming inability to focus on tasks. Secof chaw of de symptoms of hypomania often be mistaken for high-functioning behavior anaa dem simply attribute to personality, patients typically no be aware of dema hypomanic symptoms. In addition, chaw people plus BP-II get periods of normal affect. As a result, wen patients dey seek help, dem be very often unable to provide dema doctor plus all de information dem hia for an accurate assessment; dese individuals often be misdiagnosed plus unipolar depression. BP-II be more common dan BP-I, while BP-II den major depressive disorder get about de same rate of diagnosis. Substance use disorders (wich get high co-morbidity plus BP-II) den periods of mixed depression sanso fi make am more difficult to accurately identify BP-II. Despite de difficulties, e be important say dem correctly dey assess BP-II individuals so dat dem fi receive de proper treatment. Antidepressant use, insyd de absence of mood stabilizers, dey correlate plus worsening BP-II symptoms.

## References