What is Bipolar II? by Robyn Tamanaha, LMFT

In 2017, the National Institute of Mental Health found that 2.8% of adults had Bipolar Disorder. Although 2.8% of the population may sound like an insignificant number of people, it actually equates to 7.8 million people. Of the adults with bipolar disorder, 17.1% of the adults did not experience significant impairment in major areas of their life. One criterion for Bipolar II disorder is that the experience of hypomanic episodes does not cause significant impairment to major areas of the individual's life (DSM, 2017).

Mania versus Hypomania

With Bipolar II, the individual will experience hypomania. With Bipolar I, the individual will experience mania. It can be difficult to differentiate between mania and hypomania because the symptoms are the same, but the key differences are the intensity of the symptoms and the length of time that the symptoms last. In Bipolar II, the symptoms last at least 4 consecutive days. If the symptoms last for at least 7 consecutive days, then Bipolar I should be a considered diagnosis (if the experience also includes significant impairment.)  CLICK HERE to read my blog, What’s the Difference Between Mania and Hypomania in Bipolar Disorder.

Significant Impairment versus No Significant Impairment

Significant impairment during the course of a manic episode is a requirement for Bipolar I disorder. Significant impairment means that the manic symptoms impact an individual’s life to the point where their school/work performance, relationships, or how much they take care of themselves, declines. The individual may have a history of losing jobs, extreme financial losses, or interactions with the legal system, to name a few examples. Although not required, an individual might be hospitalized to prevent them from harming themselves or others.

In Bipolar II disorder, the hypomanic episodes do not impair major areas of the individual's life, nor do they lead to psychiatric hospitalization. This means that, although the individual experiences hypomanic symptoms, they are able to function at work and school. Sometimes, the symptoms can aid in productivity or achievement.

Impairment Occurs During Depression

Although an individual living with Bipolar II does not experience impairment within major areas of their life during hypomanic episodes, they will experience impairment during depressive episodes. The individual living with Bipolar II will usually seek therapy or psychiatry for depression (DSM, 2017). This is also why individuals living with Bipolar II can be misdiagnosed as experiencing Major Depressive Disorder. Why? Because they’re functioning during hypomania, so it may not be on their radar that hypomania is something to consider as a problem. And, the individual experiences depression for the majority of their illness (DSM, 2017). The depression symptoms are more than a period of sadness: It's a full depressive episode. Watch my video, Am I Sad or Am I Depressed? below:

(NOTE: This video was filmed when my practice was at a previous location. I am now located in Irvine, CA)

Diagnosis

An official diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder must come from a mental health professional, such as a therapist or psychiatrist who specializes in, or is at least very familiar with, Bipolar Disorder. I specialize in Bipolar Disorder. CLICK HERE to find out how I treat Bipolar Disorder

What do I do?

Therapy is very helpful for Bipolar Disorder. It’s important to know that bipolar disorder is treatable and manageable. Through therapy, the individual can experience what it’s like to not be judged, learn strategies to manage and respond to symptoms effectively, feel confident about themselves, and be able to identify other parts of themselves that make up their identity. There are multiple therapy approaches to treating bipolar disorder, including Social Rhythm and Interpersonal Therapy, Functional Family Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, to name a few.

You don’t have to do this alone. If you are interested in receiving therapy with me, let’s schedule a free 15-minute phone consult.

My office is located in Irvine, which is near Newport Beach, Orange, Fountain Valley, Costa Mesa, Anaheim, Huntington Beach, Mission Viejo, Laguna Niguel, Aliso Viejo, Laguna Hills, Tustin, Seal Beach, and beyond. I work with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and Asian American & Pacific Islanders.

Disclaimer: This information is being provided to you for educational and informational purposes only. The topics being discussed are meant as a self-help tool for you own use. It is not psychotherapy or counseling. This information is to be used based on your own judgment. If you need to speak with a professional, you should find one local to you and contact them directly.