Johns Hopkins Psychiatry Guide
Bipolar Affective Disorder Type II
DEFINITION
- A chronic, treatable mood disorder with relapsing and remitting course characterized by depressive episodes and at least one hypomanic episode
- Hypomania is characterized by period of elevated mood, elevated self-attitude (e.g. self-esteem or self-confidence), and increased vital sense (physical and mental energy) that is uncharacteristic of the person at baseline.
- Differs from mania because it is less severe and does not cause impairment in functioning, require hospitalization, or have psychotic features
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Last updated: August 9, 2025
Citation
Adnane, Lydia, et al. "Bipolar Affective Disorder Type II." Johns Hopkins Psychiatry Guide, The Johns Hopkins University, 2025. Johns Hopkins Guides, www.hopkinsguides.com/hopkins/view/Johns_Hopkins_Psychiatry_Guide/787046/all/Bipolar_II_Disorder.
Adnane L, Wise E, Swartz KL. Bipolar Affective Disorder Type II. Johns Hopkins Psychiatry Guide. The Johns Hopkins University; 2025. https://www.hopkinsguides.com/hopkins/view/Johns_Hopkins_Psychiatry_Guide/787046/all/Bipolar_II_Disorder. Accessed October 30, 2025.
Adnane, L., Wise, E., & Swartz, K. L. (2025). Bipolar Affective Disorder Type II. In Johns Hopkins Psychiatry Guide. The Johns Hopkins University. https://www.hopkinsguides.com/hopkins/view/Johns_Hopkins_Psychiatry_Guide/787046/all/Bipolar_II_Disorder
Adnane L, Wise E, Swartz KL. Bipolar Affective Disorder Type II [Internet]. In: Johns Hopkins Psychiatry Guide. The Johns Hopkins University; 2025. [cited 2025 October 30]. Available from: https://www.hopkinsguides.com/hopkins/view/Johns_Hopkins_Psychiatry_Guide/787046/all/Bipolar_II_Disorder.
* Article titles in AMA citation format should be in sentence-case
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T1 - Bipolar Affective Disorder Type II
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AU - Wise,Elizabeth ,M.D.
AU - Swartz,Karen,M.D.
Y1 - 2025/08/09/
BT - Johns Hopkins Psychiatry Guide
UR - https://www.hopkinsguides.com/hopkins/view/Johns_Hopkins_Psychiatry_Guide/787046/all/Bipolar_II_Disorder
PB - The Johns Hopkins University
DB - Johns Hopkins Guides
DP - Unbound Medicine
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