Bipolar II Disorder: Diagnostic Criteria & Symptoms | APA

The diagnostic criteria for Bipolar II disorder, like other bipolar conditions and mental illnesses, are established by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). This is a publication of the American Psychiatric Association (APA).

Features

• According to the Mayo Clinic, Bipolar II disorder is characterized by hypomania, a less severe and shorter term variety of the mania experienced by people with bipolar disorder.

Criteria

• The Mayo Clinic reports that in order to be diagnosed with Bipolar II, an individual must have one incident of depression as well as one incident of hypomania.

Time Frame

• According to the University of Maryland Medical center (UMM), hypomanic episodes last for approximately four days at a time. People with Bipolar II also have shorter periods of time without symptoms than people with Bipolar I.

Diagnosis

• A number of different tools are used to diagnose bipolar disorder per The Mayo Clinic. These include physical examination, blood work, and a psychological evaluation.

Considerations

• People who believe they may have Bipolar II disorder, or another mental health illness, should seek out professional treatment. Untreated mental illness can impact all parts of person's life.