Bipolar Disorder Slideshow Pictures Phobias Slideshow Pictures Depression Slideshow Pictures

Medical Author:

Roxanne Dryden-Edwards, MD

Roxanne Dryden-Edwards, MD

Dr. Roxanne Dryden-Edwards is an adult, child, and adolescent psychiatrist. She is a former Chair of the Committee on Developmental Disabilities for the American Psychiatric Association, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, and Medical Director of the National Center for Children and Families in Bethesda, Maryland.

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Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Catherine Zeta-Jones Seeks Treatment for Bipolar II Disorder

Bipolar II Disorder Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Medical Author: Roxanne Dryden-Edwards, MD
Medical Editor: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Until April 2011, Academy Award-winning actor Catherine Zeta-Jones was best known for stellar performances in Traffic and Chicago, her high-profile marriage to actor Michael Douglas, and his recent struggle with throat cancer. She recently stunned the public by announcing that she suffers from bipolar II disorderand is participating in inpatient treatment for the illness.

Bipolar II disorder is a mental illnessthat is characterized by mood swings, from depressed or irritable to excessively elevated to a moderate degree (hypomania). While it is thought to occur a in a little over 1% of the United States population, slightly more than the 1% incidence of bipolar I disorder, that translates into millions of people who suffer from the condition. About two-thirds of individuals with manic depression(either bipolar disorderor bipolar II disorder) develop symptoms of the illness by the time they reach early adulthood. People with bipolar II disorder are at risk for engaging in substance abuse.

Bipolar II disorder is thought to be more common in women than in men. As with depression, the hypomanic symptoms of bipolar II disorder can occur in the postpartum period. Children and adolescents with bipolar II disorder tend to experience episodes that are rapid cycling, having at least four mood problem episodes in a 12-month period.

Read more about diagnosis, treatment, and causes of bipolar II disorder »

What is bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder, also called manic depression, is a mental illness that is characterized by severe mood swings, repeated episodes of depression, and at least one episode of mania. Bipolar disorder is one kind of mood disorder that afflicts more than 1% of adults in the United States, up to as many as 4 million people. Here are some additional statistics about bipolar disorder:

• Bipolar disorder is the fifth leading cause of disability worldwide.



• Bipolar disorder is the ninth leading cause of years lost to death or disability worldwide.



• The number of individuals with bipolar disorder who commit suicide is 60 times higher than that of the general population.



• People who have bipolar disorder are at a higher risk of also suffering from substance abuse and other mental health problems.



• Males may develop bipolar disorder earlier in life compared to females.



• Blacks are sometimes diagnosed more often with bipolar disorder compared to whites.

What is the history of bipolar disorder?

This disease was formally conceptualized by Emil Kraeplin more than 100 years ago, at which time he described it as manic-depressive insanity. However, mood problems that include depression alternating with symptoms that are now understood to be manic have been referenced in history as long ago as 200 A.D. At that time, this illness, like unipolar depression, was thought to be the result of bad blood, called black bile. In the 19th century, this illness was referred to by terms like biphasic illness, circular insanity, and dual-form insanity. Despite such unfortunate terminology for this disease, bipolar disorder is also known to be associated with achievement in some individuals. Many historical figures and current luminaries suffer from this disorder, whose creativity and accomplishments can therefore be an inspiration for current sufferers of bipolar disorder.