Bipolar 2 disorder is a mental health condition that causes shifts in mood, energy, and ability to perform everyday tasks. People with bipolar 2 disorder often experience both depressive episodes and hypomanic episodes.
Diagnosing bipolar 2 is challenging because symptoms can resemble other disorders like depression, anxiety, and personality disorders. However, understanding the symptoms of bipolar 2 helps your behavioral health physician provide an accurate diagnosis and ensure you receive adequate treatment.
Symptoms
Bipolar 2 disorder causes intense shifts in your mood, energy levels, and behavior. These fluctuations might linger for days, weeks, or months, disrupting your usual functioning.
Sometimes, you might have both manic and depressive symptoms together, a mixed episode. It’s more common in people who have a family history of bipolar disorder or had traumatic experiences.
So, what is bipolar 2? When you have a manic episode, you can feel elated, excited, irritable, and energized for a short time. However, your behavior might be out of character, and others may think you’re acting erratically or that something is wrong with you.
During a depressive episode, you might feel sad, hopeless, or empty for a long time. You might have trouble sleeping or eating and think about suicide.
Sometimes, your symptoms improve independently with medication or talk therapy (psychotherapy). But in some cases, you may need more intensive treatment.
One type of treatment is electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). ECT involves electric shocks to stimulate the brain and relieve symptoms, usually within a few hours. It is effective for certain types of severe mania and depression.
Other treatments include medications, behavioral therapy, and a combination of both. These treatments can help you manage your bipolar symptoms and prevent relapses. They also can help you live a more productive and meaningful life.
Diagnosis
Bipolar 2 is a mental health condition that causes recurring extreme mood changes. It involves periods of highs and lows, called manic and depressive episodes, that can last days, weeks, or longer.
Your doctor will examine your symptoms and ask questions about your life and family history. They may also order tests that help them make a diagnosis.
People with bipolar disorder are at risk of having a relapse of their symptoms if they don’t get treatment. It can happen if they have a stressful event in their life, like losing a job, having an illness, or dealing with financial problems.
Some people with bipolar disorder experience periods of elevated mood or excitability between episodes of depression. It is called cyclothymia, and it can be challenging to diagnose.
The diagnosis of bipolar 2 disorder requires that you have experienced at least one hypomanic episode and at least one major depressive episode. In addition, these episodes must have disrupted your everyday functioning.
A doctor, psychiatrist, psychiatric nurse, or psychologist can diagnose bipolar 2. They will ask you about your symptoms and family history and may give you a blood test to rule out other conditions that could cause bipolar disorder.
Treatment
Fortunately, treatments are available to help you manage your bipolar 2 disorder. Treatment may include medications, talk therapy (psychotherapy), and lifestyle changes.
Medications for bipolar depression and mania can help manage symptoms by controlling the release of mood-stabilizing chemicals in the brain. They can also decrease the risk of suicide.
The most common medications for bipolar depression are antidepressants, such as lamotrigine or valproate, and antipsychotics, such as lithium. Other drugs, such as neuroleptics, treat psychotic symptoms that often accompany a manic or depressive episode.
Other therapies, such as light and dark therapy and interpersonal and social rhythm therapy, focus on regulating daily rhythms that can trigger symptoms of mania and depression. These treatments may help you develop a routine that includes sleeping, eating, and physical activity.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) involves learning to identify unhealthy, negative thoughts and behaviors that can lead to episodes of mania and depression. Then, it helps you replace these thoughts with more positive ones and learn effective coping skills.
Family-focused therapy is also an option for reducing stress and building support between you and your loved ones. It focuses on the practical ways that bipolar disorder affects everyone in the family and can improve communication and relationship skills.
The proper treatment depends on your needs and what works best with your doctor’s advice. The sooner you begin treatment, the better your chances of regaining control of your symptoms and living an active, satisfying life.
Prevention
Symptoms of bipolar 2 disorder are very similar to those of bipolar 1. Therefore, it is often challenging to distinguish bipolar 1 from bipolar 2.
Treatment for bipolar disorder can help manage symptoms and reduce the risk of relapse. Early diagnosis and treatment can also improve quality of life.
People who have bipolar 2 can prevent episodes by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and taking their medication as prescribed. They should also eat well and get regular exercise.
Talk therapy can also help. It helps people accept their illness, recognize warning signs, develop coping skills, and stick with their medicine.
It can also help individuals cope with the stresses of life and develop better relationships with others.
Some people with bipolar 2 may benefit from psychotherapy, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT). It can also teach coping strategies and help patients identify and address triggers for mood changes.
Antipsychotic medicines such as risperidone, haloperidol, and clozapine can treat bipolar 2 mania. They can also be a long-term mood stabilizer for people with bipolar 2 depression.
