How do people diagnose bipolar II disorder?
Bipolar disorder, once called manic depression, is characterized by mood swings from one extreme to the other. People with bipolar disorder may experience periods of heightened energy followed by periods of deep depression. Until recently, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) described only one form of bipolar disorder, but the fourth edition now includes a second form of bipolar disorder which has slightly different diagnostic criteria.SymptomsAccording to the DSM-IV, both bipolar disorder I and II include recurring and alternating episodes of exultant or irritable mood and debilitating depression, each of several days duration. At least three of the following must be present: rushing thoughts, distractibility, an increase in risk-taking behaviors, feelings of grandeur, talking jags, going for long periods without feeling the need for sleep, agitation, or an increase in activity directed toward a goal of some kind. In bipolar disorder I, these manic states often cause an inabil
