Bipolar II Disorder Workbook

They also found that students with less regularity to their routines were more likely to have a mood episode (depression or hypomania) sooner in the study.

In short, daily routine is particularly vital for people with BPII because a lack of structure may cause mood episodes. Unfortunately, you may be less likely to keep a daily routine because you have BPII.

I wish we had $90 million under the salary cap. I wish we could buy the world. We can’t; the only thing we can do is work hard

It’s important to recognize that even positive life events, such as getting married, having a baby, graduating, or getting a big promotion can cause stress and precipitate depression. Anything that changes your daily routines can have a big impact on your mood

Rapidly changing mood, otherwise known as rapid cycling
Agitation, or physical restlessness
Insomnia
Anxiety
Hopelessness, guilt, or seeing few reasons for living
Psychotic features: hearing voices or seeing things that are not there
Atypical features of depression (as defined in the preceding section)
Substance use and abuse
Serious medical illness
Lack of medical treatment
Lack of family or social support
Personality disorders, or long-standing patterns of behavior that interfere with relationships and functioning

The following factors have been shown to worsen suicidal thoughts in people with bipolar disorder (Gonda et al. 2012):

Aggressive/impulsive personality traits
Negative events that occurred early in life (separation from loved ones; emotional, physical, or sexual abuse)
Stressful current life events
A family history of mood disorders and/or suicide in close relatives
Onset of bipolar disorder at a young age (fifteen years or younger)
Recent onset of bipolar disorder
A long history of untreated bipolar disorder
Severe depression and multiple episodes of depression
A prior suicide attempt

Having depression that momentarily lifts in response to positive news or pleasant events but returns later
Increases in appetite and weight gain
Increased amounts of sleep
Heavy, leaden feelings in arms and legs
Fears of interpersonal rejection that interfere with relationships

Individuals with BPII may also be more likely to have what are called atypical features of depression. The following characteristics are found in atypical depression (Brugue et al. 2008):

Having depression that momentarily lifts in response to positive news or pleasant events

In terms of symptoms, individuals with BPII may be more likely to experience guilty feelings and physical feelings of agitation during depression (Baek et al. 2011)

seeing reality for what it is.