What are the symptoms of bipolar II?
The DSM mandates the presence or history of at least one major bipolar depresion episode. Because major depression is such a common feature of bipolar II, it is a mistake to regard bipolar II as somehow milder than bipolar I. The DSM also mandates the presence or history of at least one hypomanic episode. Hypomania can be described as “mild” mania, with the same symptoms, but where the symptoms are not severe enough to interfere with work or social functioning, though they are observable by others.
