The "Other" Bipolar Disorder: Bipolar II Disorder

Bipolar Disorder, once known as Manic-Depression, is a serious mental illness that effects millions of people, yet the average person knows so little about it. Bipolar disorder is the sixth leading cause of disability in America (www.mentalhealth.com). Alcohol and drug abuse are very common in patients with bipolar, as is suicide, if left untreated. This disorder typically develops by around age 21, although many patients go untreated for years (www.mentalhealth.com). Bipolar disorder is a complex disorder that requires careful medication management, psychotherapy, and other care.

Bipolar disorder is broken into the two types: Bipolar I and Bipolar II. Bipolar I is the most common and well-known of the two forms. You hear about "wild manic episodes" that are blamed for shopping sprees and sometimes even criminal behavior. But what does this mean?

Bipolar I disorder is characterized by alternating manic and depressive episodes. During these manic episodes, a person exhibits increased activity, a "flight of ideas," is often more talkative then normal, has excessive involvement in pleasurable activities that may have negative consequences (shopping or sex sprees, foolish business investments, etc.), and may be extremely irritable (Barlow & Durand, 2005). This state will be one of severe disturbance. Occasionally, hallucinations or delusions may be present. The person is not able to function properly. In severe cases, hospitalization is required. This is followed by a drop into depression. This is a major depression, often leaving the person unable to get out of bed.