Bipolar II disorder

Bipolar II disorder is a mood disorder marked by episodes of major depression and hypomania, with no history of full mania.

Hypomania: A distinct period of elevated, expansive, or irritable mood and increased activity that is less severe than mania. At least one hypomanic episode is required for this diagnosis.
Circadian rhythm: An approximately 24-hour cycle in biological and behavioral processes, including sleep and hormone regulation. Disrupted sleep timing can accompany mood episodes and affect their course.
Mood stabilizer: A medication used to reduce mood episode severity or recurrence in bipolar disorders. Mood stabilizers are among the medication options considered in long-term treatment.
Major depressive disorder: A disorder involving major depressive episodes without a history of mania or hypomania. Missed hypomania can make bipolar II appear to be major depressive disorder.
Diagnostic delay: A prolonged interval between the onset of a condition and its accurate diagnosis. Depression may be identified before hypomania reveals the bipolar pattern.
Major depressive episode: A period of at least two weeks of depressed mood or loss of interest, accompanied by other symptoms and impairment. Bipolar II disorder includes major depressive episodes, which often drive clinical distress.
Sleep and bipolar disorder: The bidirectional relationship between sleep patterns and mood symptoms in bipolar disorders. Sleep changes can signal or intensify shifts into depression or hypomania.
Lithium: A chemical element used as a mood-stabilizing medication for bipolar disorder. Clinicians may consider lithium for mood episode prevention and suicide-risk reduction.
Antidepressant: A medication primarily used to treat depressive and related symptoms. Antidepressant treatment without recognizing bipolarity may require careful monitoring for mood changes.
Functional impairment: Difficulty carrying out important activities or roles because of health-related symptoms. Depressive and hypomanic symptoms can disrupt work, relationships, and daily routines.

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Bipolar disorderBroader topic: Its hypomania and depression differ diagnostically from bipolar I mania.