One of the four types of bipolar disorder, bipolar disorder II is defined by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) as episodes of major depression with periods of hypomania, which is a less severe form of mania. Because hypomania may be difficult to distinguish from a regular mood, the patient may be misdiagnosed with only major depression. A combination of treatments, such as psychotherapy, medication and electroconvulsive therapy, is used to treat the symptoms and help the patient function.
Psychotherapy
The National Institute of Mental Health states that psychotherapy can be effective in dealing with the negative thoughts that result in depressive episodes. For example, cognitive behavioral therapy helps the patient change the behaviors that cause depression into positive coping strategies. Cognitive behavioral therapy can also help the patient manage her hypomania symptoms and identify the triggers that cause the mood swings. A patient with bipolar disorder II may also benefit from family-focused therapy, which educates her family members on the disorder and how they can support her.
Medications
The Mayo Clinic states that medication treatment for bipolar disorder II goes through two stages. The first stage, the initial treatment, focuses on getting the patient's symptoms under control with medication. The second stage, maintenance treatment, helps the patient manage his symptoms on a long-term basis. HelpGuide notes that lithium, a type of mood stabilizer, is most effective with mania but also manages depression symptoms. Other mood stabilizers, such as lamotrigine, quetiapine and olanzapine, also manage depression symptoms. Antidepressants, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), are not as effective with bipolar depression and can cause rapid cycling if not combined with another medication, such as a mood stabilizer.
Electroconvulsive Therapy
The NIH states that electroconvulsive therapy is used if depression symptoms in bipolar disorder II are not improved by medication or if the patient is suicidal. While the patient is under anesthesia, electrical signals are transmitted to the brain from the device through electrodes, triggering a small seizure. This treatment is a quick and effective method for treating the depressive symptoms, and side effects, such as memory loss, are temporary.
