BIPOLAR-II DISORDER

JASON WICH, LUIS SANDOVAL, GABRIEL PAREJA

SYMPTOMS

• Alternating states of mania and depression

• Difference between Bipolar I and II

DIAGNOSIS

• Diagnosed the same way as Bipolar I disorder

• The line between the two is not clear cut

PREVALENCE

• DSM IV says .5% of population have specifically Bipolar II

• Research has found it to be around 5%

• Underdiagnosed in many areas

CAUSES

• It is unknown what causes any forms of bipolar disorder

• There are some links to genetic causes, however the cause is not clearly defined (Phelps 2007)

• Environmental factors have a strong influence on the onset of the disorder

• Cognitive processes similar to those expressed in unipolar depressed patients has been seen frequently in bipolar individuals (Alloy et. al. 2005)

CULTURAL FACTORS

• Across all cultures, individuals with bipolar disorder had similar symptoms and additional mental health problems

• High-income countries have higher rates of the disorder than low-income countries

• Collectivist cultures see lower rates of the disorder (Gardner 2011)

GENDER VARIATIONS

• Age of onset of bipolar II disorder for females is lower than that of males and were more likely to have mixed depressive episodes

• No noticeable differences on the hypomanic side of the disorder, however differences are more noticeable on the depressive side (Benazzi 2006)

TREATMENT APPROACHES

• Therapeutic treatments of bipolar II differ from bipolar I

• Psychoeducation has been shown to have success in treating bipolar II

• Family-focused therapy also has been shown to be effective (Phelps 2001)

• Medicines known as “mood-stabilisers”, lithium and valproate most common

ETIOLOGY AND THERAPY

• Social support has been seen to be a trigger for the onset of bipolar disorder, showing that increased positive feedback from family/friends can help treat the disorder

WALKER-TESSNER MODEL

Family Interaction

Biological: Bipolar 2 Disorder

Genes

Fluctuating Levels of Neurotransmitters

CITATIONS

• Alloy, L., Abramson, L., Urosevic, S., Walshaw, P., Nusslok, R., & Neeren, A. (2005). The psychosocial context of bipolar disorder: Environmental, cognitive, and developmental risk factors.Clinical Psychology Review, 25, 1043-1075.

• Angst, Jules. (1998). The emerging epidemiology of hypomania and bipolar II disorder. Journal of Affective Disorders, 50,2, 143-151.

• Benazzi, F. (2006). Gender differences in bipolar–II disorder. European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience,256(2), 67-71.

• Gardner, A. (2011, March 7). U.S. has highest bipolar rate in 11-nation study.CNN Health. Retrieved March 2, 2014, from http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/03/07/US.highest.bipolar.rates

• Judd, L. et. Al. "A Prospective Investigation of the Natural History of the Long-term Weekly Symptomatic Status of Bipolar II Disorder FREE." JAMA Network. JAMA, n.d. Web. 03 Mar. 2014. <http://archpsyc.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=207252#METHODS>.

• Phelps, J. (n.d.). 300 pages on complex mood and anxiety problems. Bipolar II, Mood Swings without Mania; Brain Tours; Stress andDepression; Hormones and Mood; and more.... Retrieved March 2, 2014, from http://www.psycheducation.org/