I don't know if others agree, but for me, using the word "severe" would have been less offensive than using the word "serious". It is certainly a true statement that mania is more severe than hypomania. (Although I still don't think you can jump from that to saying BP I is more severe than BP II). "Serious" feels more like a value judgement than "severe".

I think I'm a little stuck on this because I am just so surprised that someone in his position would perpetuate this misunderstanding...

Best,
EJ