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
Stress
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Listen to Music Relaxation Techniques Deep breathing and relaxation
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
Common symptom
Overeating
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Naltrexone
Common symptom
Decreased sex drive (libido)
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Testosterone Bupropion Calcium-magnesium-zinc-vitamin d3

*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
3,501
Tried for
bipolar II disorder (45)
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
5,014
Tried for
bipolar II disorder (8)
Treatment

(Depakote)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
430
Tried for
bipolar II disorder (7)
Treatment

(Trileptal)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
227
Tried for
bipolar II disorder (4)

*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 (14 evaluations)
Side effects
blurry vision chest pain on left side 15 more
Total evaluations
14
Tried for
bipolar II disorder (45)
Treatment

(Lithium Carbonate ER)
Perceived effectiveness
for bipolar II disorder (8 evaluations)
Side effects
auditory hallucinations disorientation 2 more
Total evaluations
8
Tried for
bipolar II disorder (12)
Treatment

(Talk therapy)
Perceived effectiveness
for bipolar II disorder (3 evaluations)
Side effects
Total evaluations
3
Tried for
bipolar II disorder (8)
Treatment

(Depakote)
Perceived effectiveness
No evaluations
Side effects
No evaluations
Total evaluations
0
Tried for
bipolar II disorder (7)
Treatment

(Trileptal)
Perceived effectiveness
for bipolar II disorder (1 evaluation)
Side effects
Total evaluations
1
Tried for
bipolar II disorder (4)

*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 17
20s 391
30s 1,520
40s 2,463
50s 2,590
60s 1,526
70+ 455

Distribution of sex

Sex

Sex Proportion # of patients
Male 1,566
Female 7,374