Bipolar II

Question 0

How does one distinguish between BD I and BD II?

Answer 0

In BD II, mood episodes (hypomania and depression) generally last weeks or months. I’m BPD, there is marked mood lability (“emotional dysregulation”) in response to external stressors, causing changes in mood lasting seconds, hours, or days.

Question 1

Diagnostic features of BD II

Answer 1

History of one or more major depression episodes and at least one hypomanic episode.

Question 2

What is the lifetime prevalence?

Answer 2

0.5%

Question 3

Are there any gender disparities in the incidence of BD II?

Answer 3

More common in women.

Question 4

In relation to depressive episodes, when do hypomania episodes tend to occur?

Answer 4

Just prior to or following a depressive episode.

Question 5

What disorder is often different to distinguish from BD II?

Answer 5

Borderline personality disorder (BPD). Both BPD and BD II involve mood swings.

Question 6

What is the course of BD II?

Answer 6

Similar to BD I: tends to be chronic, requiring long-term treatment.

Question 7

What are the treatment goals and methods for BD II?

Answer 7

Same as BD I.

Question 8

What is the difference between BD I and BD II?

Answer 8

• BD I involve periods of severe mood episodes from mania to depression.
• BD II is a milder form of mood elevation, involving milder episodes of hypomania that alternate with periods of severe depression.