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Misdiagnosed for Decades: The Hidden Signs of Bipolar II
11 Oct
Summary
- Bipolar II is often misdiagnosed as depression for over 30 years.
- Hypomania symptoms can be mistaken for high energy or confidence boosts.
- Early identification of hypomania is key to accurate bipolar diagnosis.
Decades of treatment for depression preceded Jacqui Armstrong's accurate bipolar II diagnosis at age 64. For over 30 years, she experienced recurrent depressive episodes, leading to hospital admissions and a suicide attempt, while working as an educator.
Armstrong described feeling like a "huge failure" during these periods, unaware of the underlying bipolar condition. She experienced 'hypomania,' characterized by unusually high energy and mood spurts, which were not severe enough to be identified as full mania.
These hypomanic symptoms, including periods of great confidence and idea generation, would often precede her depressive breakdowns. It was only during a final hospital admission that a psychiatrist inquired about hypomania symptoms, leading to further assessment and her bipolar II diagnosis.
Experts note that bipolar II is particularly difficult to diagnose due to its frequent depressive phases and less severe hypomanic episodes, often mistaken for distinct mood fluctuations.
