Bipolar II disorder: an overview of recent developments.
OBJECTIVE
Recent research on the epidemiology, clinical course, diagnosis, and treatment of bipolar II disorder (BD II) stands to have a considerable impact on clinical practice. This paper reviews these developments.


METHODS
We conducted a Pubmed search, focusing on the period from January 1, 1994, to August 31, 2004. Articles deemed directly relevant to the epidemiology, course, diagnosis, and management of BD II were considered.


RESULTS
The prevalence of BD II is likely higher than previously suggested. Systematic probing for particular clinical features and use of screening tools allow for a more timely and accurate detection of the disorder. There is a paucity of good quality data to guide clinicians treating BD II.


CONCLUSIONS
Significant progress has been made in clarifying diagnostic and treatment issues in BD II. Neither strong nor broad treatment recommendations can be made; a cautious interpretation of available data suggests that lithium or lamotrigine are fairly reasonable first-line choices. More well-designed studies with larger samples are needed to improve the evidence base for managing this disorder.
Hadjipavlou
George
G
Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver.
Mok
Hiram
H
Yatham
Lakshmi N
LN
D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D015897:Comorbidity; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004358:Drug Therapy; D006801:Humans; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence