Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDepressionHypomaniaDiagnosisRisk FactorsTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Depression
Hypomania
Diagnosis
Risk Factors
Treatment
There are two types ofbipolar disordercalled bipolar 1 disorder and bipolar 2 disorder. Bipolar 2 disorder is amental health illnesssimilar to bipolar 1 in that moods cycle between depression andhypomaniathat can last for days, weeks, or longer. Depression is the predominant symptom and the mood swings are less severe with bipolar 2 disorder.
This article discusses symptoms, diagnosis, risk factors, and treatment for bipolar 2 disorder.
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With bipolar type 2 disorder, similar to bipolar type 1 disorder, episodes of depression are often the first symptoms to be experienced.
Symptoms ofdepressionmay include:
A person with bipolar disorder will experience five or more symptoms during a two-week period, with at least one of the symptoms being 1) depressed mood most of the day nearly every day or 2) loss of interest or pleasure.
The Link Between Bipolar Disorder and Memory Problems: What You Need to Know
Along with depression, another distinguishing symptom of bipolar 2 disorder is hypomania. A person with bipolar 2 disorder does not experience fullmanialike people with bipolar 1 disorder.
Symptoms of mania and hypomania can include:
What does bipolar 2 disorder feel like?Hypomania episodes may feel “better than good” but depressive episodes tend to be more frequent. There may also be periods with no symptoms in between episodes.
What does bipolar 2 disorder feel like?
Hypomania episodes may feel “better than good” but depressive episodes tend to be more frequent. There may also be periods with no symptoms in between episodes.
Mania
People with bipolar 1 disorder have manic episodes that last at least seven days (most of the day, nearly every day) and can have manic symptoms that are so severe hospital care is needed.
A key difference between the two types of bipolar disorder is that people with bipolar 2 disorder experience symptoms that are usually less severe and might not inhibit their ability to function in daily life.
If you experience periods of elevated mood or excitability in between depressive episodes, tell a mental health professional to ensure you receive an accurate diagnosis and correct treatment.
What Causes Bipolar Disorder?
Diagnosing Bipolar 2 Disorder
Diagnosing bipolar 2 disorder can be difficult because it can look like other mental health disorders such as:
Diagnostic criteria include:
Bipolar 1 disorder:A person will have at least one manic episode, with or without an episode of depression. A manic episode may involve psychosis, which can include hallucinations or delusions. During mania, a person may need hospital care.
Bipolar 2 disorder:A person will have at least one depressive episode and at least one episode of hypomania, which does not involve psychosis. Depression is often the dominant mood.
According to studies conducted years ago, researchers determined that people with bipolar 2 disorder typically have depression more than 50% of the time, while people with bipolar 1 disorder experience depression about 30% of the time.
When Do Bipolar Disorder Symptoms Usually Start?People with bipolar disorder often start to experience symptoms at a younger age than those who are experiencing depression alone. The average age for someone to experience symptoms of bipolar disorder is 22, and some people have symptoms as teenagers.
When Do Bipolar Disorder Symptoms Usually Start?
People with bipolar disorder often start to experience symptoms at a younger age than those who are experiencing depression alone. The average age for someone to experience symptoms of bipolar disorder is 22, and some people have symptoms as teenagers.
Why Does Bipolar Disorder Get Worse With Age?
Who Is at Risk for Bipolar Type 2 Disorder?
There are several factors that can contribute to someone having the disorder.
Genetics:Bipolar disorder ishighly genetic. Those with a first-degree biological family member (parent or sibling) with bipolar disorder are at the highest risk of developing the disorder. Having a family history of bipolar disorder also is a strong predictor of developing it.
Brain structure and functioning:Some studies show that the brains of people with bipolar disorder differ from the brains of people who do not have bipolar disorder or other mental disorders. However, more research and understanding are needed.
Environmental factors:Stress and traumatic events may contribute to triggering bipolar disorder in people with a genetic predisposition. Symptoms may also appear during pregnancy, after childbirth. More research is needed to understand the connection between genetics and environmental factors and how they might interact.
Bipolar disorder is highly inheritable, with research suggesting genetics accounts for 60%–80% of the risk.
Receiving a correct diagnosis is very important in order to get the right treatment plan and medications. When bipolar disorder is misdiagnosed as depression, for example, antidepressants alone may be prescribed. These may not adequately treat the mood symptoms and may actually worsen the overall course of the illness.
Bipolar 2 Disorder Treatments
Treatment and management of bipolar 2 disorder may include:
Summary
A Word From Verywell
Learning you have bipolar disorder can be scary and overwhelming. If you think you might have bipolar disorder or you have already been diagnosed, know that there is treatment available that can help you manage the illness and live a happy, stable life.
The most important measure you can take for your mental health is be open with your doctor or mental health professional about any periods of high energy, irritability, risk-taking behaviors, or other uncharacteristic behaviors that occur in between episodes of depression.
Receiving a correct diagnosis, beginning treatment right away, and continuing to work with mental healthcare professionals to manage your disorder will help you to feel like yourself again and prevent future disruptive episodes.
Bipolar I vs. Bipolar II Disorder
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Mental Health.Bipolar disorder.American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th Edition. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Association; 2013.Shen H, Zhang L, Xu C, Zhu J, Chen M, Fang Y.Analysis of misdiagnosis of bipolar disorder in an outpatient setting.Shanghai Arch Psychiatry. 2018;30(2):93-101. doi:10.11919/j.issn.1002-0829.217080Hirschfeld RM.Differential diagnosis of bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder.J Affect Disord. 2014;169 Suppl 1:S12-S16. doi:10.1016/S0165-0327(14)70004-7Datto C, Pottorf WJ, Feeley L, LaPorte S, Liss C.Bipolar II compared with bipolar I disorder: baseline characteristics and treatment response to quetiapine in a pooled analysis of five placebo-controlled clinical trials of acute bipolar depression.Ann Gen Psychiatry. 2016;15:9. Published 2016 Mar 11. doi:10.1186/s12991-016-0096-0Nierenberg AA.Bipolar II Disorder Is NOT a Myth.Can J Psychiatry. 2019;64(8):537-540. doi:10.1177/0706743719852096Duffy A, Horrocks J, Doucette S, Keown-Stoneman C, McCloskey S, Grof P.The developmental trajectory of bipolar disorder. The British Journal of Psychiatry. 2014;204(2):122-128. doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.113.126706.Rowland TA, Marwaha S.Epidemiology and risk factors for bipolar disorder.Ther Adv Psychopharmacol. 2018;8(9):251-269. Published 2018 Apr 26. doi:10.1177/2045125318769235Culpepper L.The diagnosis and treatment of bipolar disorder: Decision-making in primary care. Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2014;16(3):PCC.13r01609. doi:10.4088/PCC.13r01609.Kerner B.Genetics of bipolar disorder.Appl Clin Genet. 2014;7:33-42. doi:10.2147/TACG.S39297National Alliance of Mental Illness.Bipolar disorder.
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Mental Health.Bipolar disorder.American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th Edition. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Association; 2013.Shen H, Zhang L, Xu C, Zhu J, Chen M, Fang Y.Analysis of misdiagnosis of bipolar disorder in an outpatient setting.Shanghai Arch Psychiatry. 2018;30(2):93-101. doi:10.11919/j.issn.1002-0829.217080Hirschfeld RM.Differential diagnosis of bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder.J Affect Disord. 2014;169 Suppl 1:S12-S16. doi:10.1016/S0165-0327(14)70004-7Datto C, Pottorf WJ, Feeley L, LaPorte S, Liss C.Bipolar II compared with bipolar I disorder: baseline characteristics and treatment response to quetiapine in a pooled analysis of five placebo-controlled clinical trials of acute bipolar depression.Ann Gen Psychiatry. 2016;15:9. Published 2016 Mar 11. doi:10.1186/s12991-016-0096-0Nierenberg AA.Bipolar II Disorder Is NOT a Myth.Can J Psychiatry. 2019;64(8):537-540. doi:10.1177/0706743719852096Duffy A, Horrocks J, Doucette S, Keown-Stoneman C, McCloskey S, Grof P.The developmental trajectory of bipolar disorder. The British Journal of Psychiatry. 2014;204(2):122-128. doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.113.126706.Rowland TA, Marwaha S.Epidemiology and risk factors for bipolar disorder.Ther Adv Psychopharmacol. 2018;8(9):251-269. Published 2018 Apr 26. doi:10.1177/2045125318769235Culpepper L.The diagnosis and treatment of bipolar disorder: Decision-making in primary care. Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2014;16(3):PCC.13r01609. doi:10.4088/PCC.13r01609.Kerner B.Genetics of bipolar disorder.Appl Clin Genet. 2014;7:33-42. doi:10.2147/TACG.S39297National Alliance of Mental Illness.Bipolar disorder.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Institute of Mental Health.Bipolar disorder.American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th Edition. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Association; 2013.Shen H, Zhang L, Xu C, Zhu J, Chen M, Fang Y.Analysis of misdiagnosis of bipolar disorder in an outpatient setting.Shanghai Arch Psychiatry. 2018;30(2):93-101. doi:10.11919/j.issn.1002-0829.217080Hirschfeld RM.Differential diagnosis of bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder.J Affect Disord. 2014;169 Suppl 1:S12-S16. doi:10.1016/S0165-0327(14)70004-7Datto C, Pottorf WJ, Feeley L, LaPorte S, Liss C.Bipolar II compared with bipolar I disorder: baseline characteristics and treatment response to quetiapine in a pooled analysis of five placebo-controlled clinical trials of acute bipolar depression.Ann Gen Psychiatry. 2016;15:9. Published 2016 Mar 11. doi:10.1186/s12991-016-0096-0Nierenberg AA.Bipolar II Disorder Is NOT a Myth.Can J Psychiatry. 2019;64(8):537-540. doi:10.1177/0706743719852096Duffy A, Horrocks J, Doucette S, Keown-Stoneman C, McCloskey S, Grof P.The developmental trajectory of bipolar disorder. The British Journal of Psychiatry. 2014;204(2):122-128. doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.113.126706.Rowland TA, Marwaha S.Epidemiology and risk factors for bipolar disorder.Ther Adv Psychopharmacol. 2018;8(9):251-269. Published 2018 Apr 26. doi:10.1177/2045125318769235Culpepper L.The diagnosis and treatment of bipolar disorder: Decision-making in primary care. Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2014;16(3):PCC.13r01609. doi:10.4088/PCC.13r01609.Kerner B.Genetics of bipolar disorder.Appl Clin Genet. 2014;7:33-42. doi:10.2147/TACG.S39297National Alliance of Mental Illness.Bipolar disorder.
National Institute of Mental Health.Bipolar disorder.
American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th Edition. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Association; 2013.
Shen H, Zhang L, Xu C, Zhu J, Chen M, Fang Y.Analysis of misdiagnosis of bipolar disorder in an outpatient setting.Shanghai Arch Psychiatry. 2018;30(2):93-101. doi:10.11919/j.issn.1002-0829.217080
Hirschfeld RM.Differential diagnosis of bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder.J Affect Disord. 2014;169 Suppl 1:S12-S16. doi:10.1016/S0165-0327(14)70004-7
Datto C, Pottorf WJ, Feeley L, LaPorte S, Liss C.Bipolar II compared with bipolar I disorder: baseline characteristics and treatment response to quetiapine in a pooled analysis of five placebo-controlled clinical trials of acute bipolar depression.Ann Gen Psychiatry. 2016;15:9. Published 2016 Mar 11. doi:10.1186/s12991-016-0096-0
Nierenberg AA.Bipolar II Disorder Is NOT a Myth.Can J Psychiatry. 2019;64(8):537-540. doi:10.1177/0706743719852096
Duffy A, Horrocks J, Doucette S, Keown-Stoneman C, McCloskey S, Grof P.The developmental trajectory of bipolar disorder. The British Journal of Psychiatry. 2014;204(2):122-128. doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.113.126706.
Rowland TA, Marwaha S.Epidemiology and risk factors for bipolar disorder.Ther Adv Psychopharmacol. 2018;8(9):251-269. Published 2018 Apr 26. doi:10.1177/2045125318769235
Culpepper L.The diagnosis and treatment of bipolar disorder: Decision-making in primary care. Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2014;16(3):PCC.13r01609. doi:10.4088/PCC.13r01609.
Kerner B.Genetics of bipolar disorder.Appl Clin Genet. 2014;7:33-42. doi:10.2147/TACG.S39297
National Alliance of Mental Illness.Bipolar disorder.
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