Bipolar II Disorder

Throughout the years, mental illness has plagued millions. Often misdiagnosed as other ailments, including physical disorders, mental illness has often gone untreated. Thus is often the case with bipolar disorder, including type II.

Perhaps the best way to understand bipolar disorder type II is to first understand bipolar disorder in general. Bipolar disorder is, in many cases, a product of both genetics and environment. The symptoms may occur naturally or be prompted by substance or alcohol abuse or great emotional distress. Bipolar disorder is a disease, which affects mood. Usually, it is associated with a manic phase and depression, resulting in a cycling between the two. During a manic phase one feels great euphoria. During a depressive phase one may feel gloomy and may perhaps wish to commit suicide or needs in-patient care at a facility. Bipolar disorder is most often treated with medication to balance an individual out. In some cases, continuing psychiatric or counseling is required for the long-term. Psychotic episodes causing hallucinations, for instance, may also accompany the disorder.

Bipolar type II is very similar, as is cyclothemia, to normal bipolar disorder, except to the extent to which the individual experiences hypomanic episodes. This differs from the manic phases suffered by the bipolar I person, in that manic episodes are less pronounced. However, a severe case of depression may result at times. This particular type of bipolar disorder is more difficult to diagnose, due to the relative stability of the individual without great cyclical events or psychosis.