Someone who experiences a half-dozen alternations between mild mania and major depression within a one-year time span would be classified as:
A) bipolar II seasonal.
B) bipolar II rapid cycling.
C) bipolar I mixed episodes.
D) bipolar I.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This individual meets the criteria for bipolar II rapid cycling, which is defined as experiencing four or more episodes of major depression, mania, hypomania or mixed episodes within a one-year period. The fact that this person experiences both mild mania and major depression indicates that they are not experiencing bipolar I, which requires at least one episode of full-blown mania. Seasonal fluctuations in mood might be present, but this is not enough to make a diagnosis of bipolar II seasonal. Mixed episodes are also not present in this individual.

Someone Who Experiences a Half-Dozen Alternations Between Mild Mania and Major