Bipolar II

There is a general stigma on the symptoms of bipolar. Many people believe that to be bipolar a person has huge manic episodes and is very unpredictable. They have the impression that a person who is bipolar will be depressed one day and the next they will be happier than anyone has seen them. There is some truth to this preconceived notion of bipolar symptoms but there are layers of bipolar just like many other diseases. Some of these layers can result in a less dramatic but still debilitating form of bipolar. This form is called bipolar II.

In a situation where a person has bipolar II they may not be prone to manic episodes but they will experiences mood swings, irritability, agitation and anxiety. They may also show signs of a higher level of energy at times without being considered manic. These high levels of energy can result in productivity while the other mood swings can cause lethargy, lack of interest, apathy and non-productive behavior that can be very problematic in a person’s day-to-day life. It is not certain what causes bipolar but it has been proven that many people that have been diagnosed have a close relative who has as well indicating it to be hereditary. Not in all cases is this true. Some people can have these episodes triggered by stress, life changes, medication or substance abuse and sleep deprivation.

It is hard for some people to deal with bipolar II symptoms. For the most part they appear to function well enough in society but inside they are struggling to simply get out of bed and face the day or at times they may be filled with anger for no reason. Bipolar II can interfere with relationships and interactions with other people.