Mental health diagnoses can sometimes feel confusing when there are similar names for conditions or types of conditions. Bipolar I and Bipolar II are good examples of this. Though they sound similar, they describe different experiences. If you or someone you love is experiencing symptoms that you believe are in keeping with bipolar disorder, understanding which of these you’re dealing with is helpful in learning to manage those symptoms and in getting the care you need.

Bipolar II is a specific and often misunderstood form of bipolar disorder, characterized by alternating episodes of depression and hypomania, which is a less severe form of mania. Columbia Associates is here to offer you the education you need about your condition and the compassionate, individualized care you need to live well. Find bipolar disorder treatment here at Columbia Associates, with a team of experienced therapists in the Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C. metro areas.

What is Bipolar II?

Bipolar II is part of the broader bipolar spectrum, but it is different from Bipolar I in one essential way: people experiencing Bipolar II have hypomanic episodes rather than full manic episodes.

What that means is that while people who struggle with bipolar I can have manic episodes that are significant enough to require hospitalization, people with Bipolar II don’t. Their elevated moods or bouts of increased energy don’t reach the same levels of intensity. However, their depressive episodes are just as significant as those with Bipolar I.

This difference in manic intensity means that Bipolar II can often be more difficult to identify. That’s because hypomania may not be disruptive at first—it can even be mistaken for productivity or high energy, which means it’s often the depression that leads people to wonder whether they may need professional support.

Signs of Bipolar II

Since it can be more difficult to recognize in people, understanding the signs of Bipolar II is important.  The condition normally manifests in alternating episodes of hypomania and major depression.

Common symptoms of Bipolar II include:

• Depressive episodes: These periods last at least two weeks, with symptoms like intense sadness, hopelessness, or lack of interest in things you typically like doing
• Hypomanic episodes: A period marked by elevated or irritable mood, increased self-esteem, rapid speech, impulsivity, and a reduced need for sleep
• Changes in key areas: Sleep, energy, and focus can all be impacted

These symptoms can make maintaining relationships challenging. Work expectations, like deadlines, can also be difficult to stay on top of. However, because hypomania is less obvious than mania, people with Bipolar II can be initially misdiagnosed as having depression, not Bipolar II. It’s important to have an expert psychiatric diagnosis, like those offered at Columbia Associates, so that you can get the care you need to thrive.

When you should seek help

If you notice these patterns in your life or the life of someone close to you, professional mental health support can make a significant difference. Therapy and psychiatric medication management can help stabilize mood, improve daily functioning, and reduce emotional distress.

At Columbia Associates, our therapists and psychiatric providers work together to create personalized treatment plans. We’ll get to know you, work to understand your symptoms, and explore the best coping strategies for you.

How Columbia Associates supports clients and their mental health

Columbia Associates makes it easy to access high-quality mental health care with accessible locations and telehealth options for clients needing virtual support. We offer our clients:

• Therapy with licensed clinicians who specialize in mood disorders
• Psychiatric medication management by experienced providers
• Integrated care planning tailored to each of our clients’ needs
• Access to innovative treatments like NeuroStar® TMS and Spravato®

Whether you’re beginning to suspect you may have Bipolar II or you’ve been experiencing it for years, there’s always hope for increasingly effective symptom management, and we’re here to offer it.

Call Columbia Associates today for effective Bipolar II treatment

Columbia Associates is here to help you manage your mental health. Give us a call today at 703.682.8208 to learn more.

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