Bipolar II disorder is characterized by episodes of depression and euphoric or dysphoric hypomania, according to psychiatrist Dr. Arnold Lieber. Hypomania is less severe than the mania seen in Bipolar I disorder, and is more common in women than men. Women with this disorder may also have co-existing problems that complicate their disease, like anxiety disorders, substance abuse or personality disorders, and may also have more frequent mood cycling than men.
Euphoric Hypomania
Women experiencing euphoric hypomania are generally very happy and upbeat, even in circumstances that would normally depress them. A woman with hypomania may feel that her life is going very well, that nothing bad can happen to her, and that she can accomplish anything she decides to try. They're outgoing and talkative, but without the frantic, disjointed, flight of ideas type speech that characterizes mania. Women in this state can often accomplish many more things a day than they would ordinarily be able to do and may feel extremely productive. Unlike women with bipolar I disorder, women with hypomania don't experience hallucinations, delusions or psychotic episodes.
Dysphoric Hypomania
Women having dysphoric hypomania episodes may feel out of sorts, irritable and angry. They may do foolish things they wouldn't ordinarily do, like having sex with a stranger, spending money on things they normally wouldn't buy, or making rash decisions like quitting her job suddenly or deciding to get a divorce to marry someone else. Her thoughts may be racing all the time, making it difficult to concentrate and to get anything done.
Depression Symptoms
Depression, which can be severe, alternates with hypomania in Bipolar II disorder. Women with Bipolar II disorder are depressed up to 37 percent of the time, much more time than they spend in a hypomania stage (around 10 percent of the time), according to a study reported in "Bipolar Disorders," by Dr. Ralph Kupka, et al, published by John Wiley and Sons in August 2007. Women experiencing depression may feel hopeless and may be unable to sleep, eat or function during the day.
Suicide attempts are not uncommon in women in a depressive state. More people diagnosed with Bipolar II attempt to commit suicide than other types of bipolar disorders, up to 24 percent, according to a study reported in the March 2001 edition of "Psychiatric Services." Loss of self esteem, feelings of worthlessness and a sense that her family would be better off without her all characterize a state of depression. Women may move slowly, speak slowly and spend much of the day lying in bed.
