Bipolar II disorder is a relatively common mental illness that affects upwards of 6 million United States citizens. This disease is very complex and often difficult to diagnose. What makes this illness clinically unique is that it is characterized by extreme mood swings that alternate between extreme highs and extreme lows. Bipolar II differs from bipolar I disorder, as that the high moods of bipolar II are milder than bipolar I, which means that bipolar II patients spend more time in the low depressive states of their cycling mood. Bipolar II is often much more difficult to diagnose than bipolar I (Parker 18), which is why it is the subject of this literature review. The criteria used to diagnose bipolar II and the interpretation of these criteria is subject of continuous scholarly debate. Researchers suggest that the difficulty in diagnosing bipolar II disorder stem from an inconsistency in diagnostic criteria, an underrepresentation of hypomanic symptoms and most notably, confusion between other psychiatric disorders. Inconsistency in Diagnostic Criteria A significant area of dissension among scholars and psychiatrists is whether bipolarity is viewed on a spectrum (the dimensional approach) or viewed as a specific set of symptoms (the categorical approach). Ghouse at el. argue that the strict “black and white” criteria of the DSM-5 should be used methodically in order to precisely dichotomize for the purpose of solidifying a diagnostic definition. Ghouse at el. come to
The two major types of Bipolar Disorder (BPD) set out in this paper are Bipolar 1 and 2. Bipolar 1 is diagnosed as guide lined by the DSM5. As the occurrence of a least one maniac episode preceding or post an episode of hypomania and/or Major depression. The DSM 5 highlights that Bipolar 2 is diagnosed by one major depressive episode in occurrence with one hypomanic episode with an absence of Mania. (Association:, 2013) Mania as defined by DSM5: “A distinct period of abnormally and persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable mood and abnormally and persistently increased goal-directed activity or energy, lasting at least 1 week and present most of the day, nearly every day.” Hypomania being: “A distinct period of abnormally and
Bipolar Disorder is a life-impacting condition that is often chronic, creates significant impairment, and is marked by a cycling between depressive and manic episodes. These episodes are manifested by unusual and extreme shifts in mood, energy levels, and behaviors that interfere with executive functioning (Wilkinson, Taylor, & Holt, 2002). Divided into two levels of diagnosis; Bipolar I Disorder is defined by the occurrence of a manic episode that may or may not be accompanied by hypomanic or major depressive episodes (American Psychological Association, 2013). Furthermore, a diagnosis of Bipolar II Disorder is comprised by a hypomanic episode and a major depressive episode (American Psychological Association, 2013).
Bipolar disorder is a rollercoaster no one wants to ride, it’s a constant up and down loop until you stabilize, coasting the ride back in. Many studies and research has been performed to understand how this disorder works. Articles “Bipolar 1 Disorder and Bipolar 2 Disorder: What Are the Differences?” by James Roland, and “Differences Between Bipolar I and Bipolar II Disorders in Clinical Features, Comorbidity, and Family History” by Ji Hyun Bark et al, are great articles informing the reader of what bipolar disorder is and the difference between bipolar one and bipolar two. Knowing the difference between bipolar one and two is very important for the patient to understand as well as their family and
Psychiatric mood disorders of such as Bipolar are often complex to diagnosis. Bipolar I is differentiated from Bipolar II by a history of at least one manic episode in a person’s life, with Bipolar II being diagnosed and characterized by a history of major depression with at least one episode of hypomania (Sadock, Sadock, and Ruiz, 2015). Bipolar is often misdiagnosed as major depression, especially in the presence of a dual diagnosis of substance use disorders. Individuals with Bipolar often have a history of self-medicating their mood symptoms of mania and
Bipolar I is our modern understanding of the 19th Century manic-depressive disorder or affective psychosis, however, it differs in that neither psychosis nor a lifetime experience of a major depressive episode is required. It requires one or more extreme manic episode, or symptoms of both a mania and a depression. It may be preceded by, or followed by, hypomanic or major depressive episodes. Mania symptoms cause significant impairment in life and may require hospitalization or trigger psychosis. In contrast, bipolar II is defined by the lifetime experience of at least one hypomanic episode and at least one major depressive episode. Criteria for hypomania are like those of mania, but in a milder form. Instead of impairment, hypomania is marked by a distinct change in functioning. (APA, 2013)
Bipolar Disorder is a mood disorder that is also known as manic depression. The term “bipolar” can be separated to find its definition. Bi- meaning two, and –polar meaning two opposing poles. Signifying the 2 polar opposites of depression and mania. Its first appearance in the American Psychiatrist Association Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), was in its 3rd revision of 1980. There are three types of Bipolar disorder: bipolar 1, Bipolar 2, and cyclothymic disorder. This disorder is important because everyday many untreated people struggle with it due to a lack of information on this given subject. It 's history, symptoms, and treatments will be discussed in the following pages.
Medication non-adherence, also called medication noncompliance, is a concern in virtually every medical condition. Overall, approximately 24% of patients do not adhere to their medication regimen. This non-adherence rate skyrockets when the condition is chronic, and is even higher when the illness is a severe mental illness (American Pharmacists Association, 2013). Bipolar disorder is a severe mental illness that has one of the highest non-adherence rates, up to 65% (American Pharmacists Association, 2013). The reasons for this non-adherence are multi-faceted. Some reasons are common to all non-adherence, and others are specifically related to the nature of bipolar disorder itself. Medication compliance is of utmost importance in the
Bipolar disorder has had a large history full of misunderstandings, wrongful treatments and stigma surrounding the illness. Bipolar, formerly called manic depression causes extreme mood swings that include emotional highs (mania) and lows (depression). (Mayo 1998) When you become depressed you may feel sad, vulnerable and anxious. When you experience mania you will become overly joyful or full of energy, making the crash back to depression that much harder.
In J. Sloan Manning, MD’s article there is a graph from 2 studies that were done in 2014. The graph is showing how people living with bipolar I and bipolar II have other such conditions that they are struggling with. It is important to get this disorder treated as soon as possible, to lessen the chances of developing another unwanted disorder. Consequently, choice of clinical treatment still occurs largely on the basis of reducing target symptoms (psychosis, depression, mania/hypomania and anxiety), resulting often in use of multiple medical or psychological therapies (Hickie, 2014). To avoid making this diagnosis worse, it is better to get the current symptoms under control as soon as possible.
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) bipolar disorder is divided into several more specific categories. Bipolar I Disorder, is categorized by mixed episodes of mania that can last anywhere between seven days to two weeks. Bipolar II Disorder is defined by depressive and hypomanic episodes, although they are not mixed or exaggerated. Bipolar Disorder NOS, is when the symptoms of bipolarity are clearly present in a patient and they alter his/her normal behavior, yet it does not quite fit in the criteria of either Bipolar II or I. Cyclothymic Disorder, another form of bipolarity, is a very mild form of the disorder yet the patient’s manic or depressive episodes do
In an article produced by Brown University (Psychopharmacology, 1998), at least two million Americans, or between 1 to 2 percent of the population, suffer from bipolar disorder. Catherine Zeta-Jones, Virginia Woolf, and Vincent Van Gogh are just a few famous examples known to have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder (Bhatia, 2014). According to Nick Craddock (1999) of The Journal of Medical Genetics, “bipolar disorder, also known as manic depressive illness, is a complex genetic disorder in which the core feature is pathological disturbance in mood ranging from extreme elation, or mania, to severe depression usually accompanied by disturbances in thinking and behavior.” These episodes can take an extreme toll on family structures, as well as simple everyday activities for the patient. There have been many research studies done to find what exactly causes bipolar disorder, though no conclusive answer has been found. Although a cause has not been discovered, researchers have come upon many correlations between those diagnosed and the disorder. These correlations include, heritability, alcohol and other drug abuse, and leadership positions (Edvardsen et al, 2008; Carmiol et al, 2014; Kyaga et. al, 2015). In the following paper, the roles that these correlations play in bipolar disorder will be further investigated. It is hypothesized that those with bipolar disorder more often than not have someone in their family that also has the disorder and that they will most likely
Now I can see that these were signs I was starting my first depressive episode. I was eighteen and a bit ahead of the curve in terms of onset for both depression and bipolar II disorder. However, I always did like to be early for things so I guess shouldn’t be surprised. Apparently, early onset of symptoms means a poorer prognosis for treatment, but I try to ignore that fun little tidbit of information. Another fun fact, people born in the winter are apparently more likely to develop either bipolar I or bipolar II. A link had also been found between the seasons and what times of the year depression episodes occur for individuals with a bipolar disorder. No one seems to know why. That seemed to be something that comes up again and again, even with all the research, that no one really knows why the brain works the way it does with most mental illnesses. Even when they have tangible, visible differences in brain structures they aren’t sure what’s going on. One article I read found that the prefrontal cortex size was larger in individuals with bipolar disorder who had a suicide history without psychiatric hospitalization, but smaller in individuals with a suicide attempt history who had past hospitalizations. The authors went on to explain why this might be, more severe cases or the type of treatment, but they weren’t sure if that was actually the case. It doesn’t make you have a lot of hope for recovery when scientists aren’t sure what your brain is doing.