What is bipolar II disorder?

Bipolar II disorder is a bipolar spectrum disorder characterized by at least one hypomanic episode and at least one major depressive episode; with this disorder, depressive episodes are more frequent and more intense than manic episodes.

How do members experience bipolar II disorder?

Top 5 symptoms reported by people with bipolar II disorder*

Common symptoms
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Common symptom
Feelings of emptiness
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Amphetamine-Dextroamphetamine Urethral dilation
Common symptom
Stress
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Listen to Music Relaxation Techniques Deep breathing and relaxation
Common symptom
Feelings of deep sadness
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Nothing reported yet
Common symptom
Loneliness
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Pets Individual Therapy Reading
Common symptom
Fatigue
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Amphetamine-Dextroamphetamine Modafinil Methylphenidate

*Reports may be affected by other conditions and/or medication side effects. We ask about general symptoms (anxious mood, depressed mood, fatigue, pain, and stress) regardless of condition.

Top treatments taken by people for bipolar II disorder*

Treatment
Type
How many have tried
Tried for
Treatment

(Lamictal)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
3,505
Tried for
bipolar II disorder (37)
Treatment

(Lithium Carbonate ER)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
2,569
Tried for
bipolar II disorder (12)
Treatment

(Talk therapy)
Type
Psychotherapy
How many have tried
5,012
Tried for
bipolar II disorder (7)
Treatment

(Depakote)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
430
Tried for
bipolar II disorder (5)
Treatment

(Tegretol)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
218
Tried for
bipolar II disorder (3)

*Data from patients with bipolar II disorder, who have ever reported treatments, ordered by their reporting frequency during the last 5 years.

Compare treatments taken by people with bipolar II disorder*

Treatment
Perceived effectiveness
Side effects
Total evaluations
Tried for
Treatment

(Lamictal)
Perceived effectiveness
for bipolar II disorder (7 evaluations)
Side effects
Total evaluations
7
Tried for
bipolar II disorder (37)
Treatment

(Lithium Carbonate ER)
Perceived effectiveness
for bipolar II disorder (5 evaluations)
Side effects
auditory hallucinations renal toxicity
Total evaluations
5
Tried for
bipolar II disorder (12)
Treatment

(Talk therapy)
Perceived effectiveness
for bipolar II disorder (1 evaluation)
Side effects
Total evaluations
1
Tried for
bipolar II disorder (7)
Treatment

(Depakote)
Perceived effectiveness
No evaluations
Side effects
No evaluations
Total evaluations
0
Tried for
bipolar II disorder (5)
Treatment

(Tegretol)
Perceived effectiveness
for bipolar II disorder (3 evaluations)
Side effects
dizziness
Total evaluations
3
Tried for
bipolar II disorder (3)

*Data from patients with bipolar II disorder, who have ever reported treatments, ordered by their reporting frequency during the last 5 years.

Who has bipolar II disorder on PatientsLikeMe?

Age

Age Proportion # of patients
<20 23
20s 386
30s 1,466
40s 2,409
50s 2,742
60s 1,644
70+ 558

Distribution of sex

Sex

Sex Proportion # of patients
Male 1,619
Female 7,549