Hi everyone!

Although I'm brand-new here (joined 2 or 3 days ago), I wanted to respond to Anna's saying (paraphrased) BP characteristically is about mood swings. In bipolar disorder - either I or II - (or any of the other designations; for instance, Hagop Akiskal here in San Diego put togeter an extensive BP taxonomy), the manic or hypomanic episode defines the disorder and depression's not necessary at all in order to get a dx of BP, though in any case very often the manias are mixed states or dysphoric manias.

Many persons with BP have a far more stable mood than a "normal" person; many people with a dx of bp live with a near-chronic high or low; I'm a BP II, NOS, "recurrent hypomania with no hx of major depression," though at times I become agitated and highly dysphoric, but always for extremely short times, as in maybe an hour or 2. I spend my days and sometimes my nights mildly manic and often highly productive. Also, though I've flunked all the med trials I've been on, for the most part I'm relatively reasonable and functional, despite living with a near-chronic high.

What I'm partly trying to explain is BP has a plethora of possible presentations and I think it's fair to say it rarely presents exactly identically in even 2 different persons. And, though the version of BP I live with has been quite predictable over the years, there's no reason for me to imagine it'll continue that way.

Hugs, everyone!
Marisol