What is Bipolar II Disorder? Bipolar disorder II is a major psychiatric disorder in which the person experiences occasional episodes of hypomania. Persons with this disorder also experience episodes of extremely low mood (depression). In between these extremes, the person's mood may be normal. What are the bipolar 2 criteria? Learn the DSM-5-TR diagnostic requirements for hypomania and depression, and how Type 2 differs from Bipolar 1. Reviewed by an MD. Bipolar II disorder is defined by a pattern of depressive and hypomanic episodes, but the hypomanic episodes are less severe than the manic episodes in bipolar I disorder. Many people with bipolar II disorder spend extended periods in a persistent, low-grade depressive state. Bipolar II disorder: You have episodes of depression and hypomania (a milder form of mania). But you never had a full manic episode. While hypomania is less severe than mania, bipolar II can still be very impairing, often because depressive episodes are more frequent or long-lasting. Type 2 bipolar disorder earns the spotlight for its major depression episodes. It's as if what's lost in having only a dampened manic phase (hypomania) is frequently made up for on the. What Is Bipolar II Disorder? Bipolar II disorder (pronounced bipolar two ) is a form of mental illness. Bipolar II is similar to bipolar I disorder, with moods cycling between high and low over. Living with bipolar II disorder means having periods of hypomania followed by periods of depression. We explain the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of bipolar II disorder. Bipolar II is a chronic mental illness, defined by episodes of depression and periods of elevated or irritable mood, called hypomania. This is similar to mania but less extreme. Bipolar II Disorder is a mood disorder characterized by alternating periods of depression and hypomania, a less severe form of mania. Although bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition, you can manage your mood swings and other symptoms by following a treatment plan. In most cases, healthcare professionals use medicines and talk therapy, also known as psychotherapy, to treat bipolar disorder.