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Bipolar I Disorder

Bipolar II Disorder is a mental illness, also referred to as manic-depressive disorder or manic depression. This is normally classified by a person having a major manic episode in their life. A manic episode is a period of time with mood elevation and high energy, followed by erratic behavior.  These highs of manic episodes are also followed by bouts of depression, hence the term “manic depression”. These periods of mania and depression often come in a cycle. However, in-between these episodes, it is possible for a person to maintain a normal lifestyle.

Bipolar II Disorder is similar to Bipolar I Disorder, with the same mood cycles from high and low. The difference is, with Bipolar II, the highs never each full blown mania. These less intense episodes are called hypomania.  A person suffering from Bipolar II Disorder has at least one hypomanic episode in their lifetime. Bipolar II tends to see more episodes of depression than anything else.  Sometimes, Bipolar II Disorder is misdiagnosed as major depression. However, like with Bipolar I, people living with Bipolar II can still lead normal lives. 

"Bipolar I Disorder Symptoms, Treatments, Causes, and More." WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. 29 July 2014. <http://www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder/guide/bipolar-1-disorder>.

 

"Bipolar II Disorder – What It Is and What Can Be Done About It." <i>The Ranch Drug Rehab Eating Disorder Trauma Treatment Center Sex Addiction Nashville Tennessee TN</i>. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 July 2014. &lt;http://www.recoveryranch.com/articles/bipolar-ii-disorder/&gt;.

 

"Hotline Information." <i>Types of Bipolar Disorder</i>. Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance , n.d. Web. 29 July 2014. &lt;http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=education_bipolar_types&gt;.

Sources 

Bipolar II Disorder

Bipolar I and II Disorder affects 2.5% of the US population, nearly 6 million people.

 

Symptoms  first appear during a person’s teens or early 20s.

 

When a person is having a manic episode, their elevated mood can result in either a high or euphoria, or a negative, feeling irritable. Symptoms can include: going from one idea to the next, rapid speech and high energy with hyperactivity and lack of sleep, inflated self-image, excessive spending, and hyper sexuality.

 

During these manic episodes, a person will tend to spend more than they previously planned, have sex with people they normally wouldn’t, and pursue unrealistic plans. Severe manic episodes can lead to a person losing touch with reality, becoming delusional. Without treatment, mania can last anywhere from a few day to a few months.

 

Symptoms of manic episodes continue for a few weeks to months, while depression may follow or not appear for weeks or months at a time. In between episodes, people with bipolar 1 may witness periods without any symptoms.

 

Depressive episodes are very similar to what doctor’s label as clinical depression. These episodes have symptoms of depressed mood, loss of pleasure, low energy and activity, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, and thoughts of suicide. These symptoms can last weeks or months. 

  • Depressed mood or sadness daily

  • Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions

  • Loss of pleasure in activities once found enjoyable

  • Pulling away from friends

  • Eating problems – loss of appetite or WEIGHT LOSS, or overeating and weight gain

  • Trouble getting to sleep, or sleeping too much

  • Feeling guilty, worthless, or hopeless

  • Low energy

  • Loss of self-esteem

  • Thoughts of suicide and death

  • ABUSE OF ALCOHOL or substances, which may make the symptoms as well as suicide risk worse

Symptoms of Bipolar II Disorder

(provided by The Ranch)  

Symptoms 

 

Sources

 

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