<unk>  <unk>  is a mood disorder on the<unk>  spectrum, characterized by at least one episode of hypomania and at least one episode of major depression. Diagnosis for<unk>  requires that the individual must never have experienced a full manic episode. Otherwise, one manic episode meets the criteria for<unk>  (BP-I). Hypomania is a sustained state of elevated or irritable mood that is less severe than mania yet may still significantly affect quality of life and result in permanent consequences including reckless spending, damaged relationships and poor judgment. Unlike mania, hypomania is not associated with psychosis. The hypomanic episodes associated with<unk>  must last for at least four days. Commonly, depressive episodes are more frequent and more intense than hypomanic episodes. Additionally, when compared to BP-I, type<unk>  presents more frequent depressive episodes and shorter intervals of well-being. The course of<unk>  is more chronic and consists of more frequent cycling than the course of BP-I. Finally,<unk>  is associated with a greater risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors than BP-I or unipolar depression. Although<unk>  is commonly perceived to be a milder form of type I, this is not the case. Types I and<unk>  present equally severe burdens.<unk>  is notoriously difficult to diagnose. Patients usually seek help when they are in a depressed state, or when their hypomanic symptoms manifest themselves in unwanted effects, such as high levels of anxiety, or the seeming inability to focus on tasks. Because many of the symptoms of hypomania are often mistaken for high-functioning behavior or simply attributed to personality, patients are typically not aware of their hypomanic symptoms. In addition, many people with<unk>  have periods of normal affect. As a result, when patients seek help, they are very often unable to provide their doctor with all the information needed for an accurate assessment; these individuals are often misdiagnosed with unipolar depression.<unk>  is more common than BP-I, while<unk>  and major depressive disorder have about the same rate of diagnosis. Of all individuals initially diagnosed with major depressive disorder, between 40% and 50% will later be diagnosed with either BP-I or<unk> . Substance use disorders (which have high co-morbidity with<unk>  and periods of mixed depression may also make it more difficult to accurately identify<unk> . Despite the difficulties, it is important that<unk>  individuals be correctly assessed so that they can receive the proper treatment. Antidepressant use, in the absence of mood stabilizers, is correlated with worsening<unk>  symptoms.
Bipolar II disorder
Bipolar I disorder
Bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder not otherwise specified
Major depressive disorder
Major depressive episode
Cyclothymia
Dysthymia