Bipolar II Personality Disorder

The types of bipolar disorder include bipolar I, bipolar II, and cyclothymia. According to the National Institutes of Health, bipolar II disorder affects approximately 5 percent of people.

Features

People with bipolar II have mood swings going from extreme highs (mania) to extreme lows (depression). Bipolar II is characterized by episodes of hypomania, highs that typically last a few days.

Treatment

Doctors may prescribe mood stabilizers, antidepressants or anti-psychotic medications to regulate symptoms of bipolar disorder. Therapy may also be suggested, as well as hospitalization, especially if the patient is suicidal.

Causes

There is no single known cause of bipolar disorder, but many doctors believe that a combination of genetic, environmental and biochemical factors cause the disorder.

Tests

If a doctor suspects bipolar disorder, he may perform a physical exam, do blood tests and take a psychological evaluation.

Considerations

If you have bipolar II disorder, consider joining a support group to learn about coping methods, ways to relax and stress reduction techniques.

References

• NIH: Focus on bipolar II disorder
• Mayo Clinic: Bipolar Disorder