As a key aspect of bipolar II disorder, hypomania facts and statistics give a person needed information to fully grasp the condition’s impact.
Hypomania is an elevated mood state characterized by extreme feelings of hyperactivity and elation. Exploring hypomania statistics is extremely helpful because the facts and figures apply to more than the mood episode; hypomania statistics can also provide information and a better understanding of bipolar II disorder, a subtype of bipolar disorder.
Prevalence of Hypomania
Hypomania is a mood episode marked by a group of symptoms linked to bipolar II disorder. Because of this connection, someone who experiences hypomania most likely also has bipolar II disorder. Even though people tend to be more familiar with bipolar I disorder, bipolar II is the more common condition.
Statistics indicate the following prevalence for bipolar disorders:
- About 5.7 million adults (2.6% of people 18 and over) in the U.S. have a bipolar disorder every year
- The average age of onset for bipolar disorders is 25, but anyone from children and older adults may experience the condition for the first time
- More than 66% of people with bipolar disorder have at least one family member with the condition
According to The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), about 0.3% of the world’s population will have bipolar II disorder during a year, and the 12-month prevalence rate of bipolar II disorder for adults in the U.S. is 0.8%.
To be diagnosed with bipolar II disorder, a person must have experienced at least one hypomanic episode and one depressive episode.
Assessing Hypomania
Bipolar II disorder is very similar to bipolar I disorder, as both conditions trigger periods of depressed episodes. However, bipolar I causes manic episodes, while bipolar II produces hypomanic episodes.
Distinguishing between manic and hypomanic episodes can be difficult for the person experiencing them, as well as their loved ones and mental health providers. Both states involve elevated, expansive or irritable moods with a sharp increase in activity and energy levels.
The key difference between hypomanic and manic episodes is how long they last. While hypomanic episodes typically last between four days and a week, manic episodes last for more than a week, which often leads to more serious consequences.
Based on the DSM-5 hypomania criteria, a person may experience the following while in a hypomanic state:
- Inflated self-esteem
- Lower need or interest in sleeping
- Increased pressure to talk
- Racing thoughts or trouble maintaining focus on one topic
- Distractibility
- Increased desire to complete tasks or assignments
- Strong compulsions to participate in risky behaviors like spending money, having sex or doing drugs
A hypomania scale is used to rate each episode as mild, moderate or severe based on the number and intensity of symptoms present.
Hypomania and Co-Occurring Conditions
DSM-5 statistics show that most people with bipolar II disorder will have at least one other mental health condition:
- About 60% of people with bipolar disorder will have hypomania and three or more co-occurring conditions
- 75% experience hypomania and anxiety
- 37% have hypomania and a substance use disorder
- 14% of people with bipolar II will have an eating disorder during their life
Some substances, like stimulants and alcohol, seem to induce hypomania, but drugs are not hypomania triggers. The symptoms cannot stem from substance use.
Hypomania and Suicide
People with bipolar II disorder have an increased risk of suicide. About 32% of people with the condition attempt suicide at least once in their life, according to the DSM-5. About 20% of people with bipolar disorder complete suicide. On average, bipolar disorders shorten a person’s life span by more than nine years.
Statistics on Hypomania Treatment and Recovery
With the combination of medication and therapy common in hypomania treatment, the recovery rate is favorable. Lithium, one drug used to treat bipolar, can produce a success rate of 50%.
Other aspects of treatment that can improve the bipolar disorder outlook include:
- An accurate diagnosis
- Participation in a patient-to-patient support group
- Treatment consistency
- Finding treatment providers who understand the condition
If you have not been able to find the best treatment provider for addiction linked to bipolar II disorder, it may be the right time to call The Recovery Village. The Recovery Village offers professional treatment for people with co-occurring substance use disorders and mental health conditions, including bipolar disorder. Reach out today for more information.
American Psychiatric Association. “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders – Fifth Edition.” 2013.
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. “Bipolar Disorder Statistics.” Accessed May 5, 2019.
The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.