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Old Mar 30, 2013, 02:24 PM
ultramar ultramar is offline
Poohbah
 
Member Since: Mar 2013
Location: USA
Posts: 1,486
Quote:
Originally Posted by jewel2560 View Post
Hi, I understand the questioning you have been going through I have been there. I am bipolar 1 and my brother is bipolar 2. The I have many more regular manic/hypomanic episodes than he does. He is mainly depressed. The difference is that with bipolar 2 you only need to have had a few hypomanic episodes in the past for the diagnosis. With bipolar one they are far more frequent/severe. So not having them recently shouldn't matter.

Also four months ago I thought I might have had borderline and I actually do. Unfortunately bipolar is a mood disorder and bpd is a personality disorder, so you can have both. There are no medications to treat bpd. But if you think it is possible talk to your doctor. It is better to know so you are treated properly.
Briefly: according to the DSM, you only have to have had 1 manic episode to be diagnosed Bipolar I (of course there are other criteria as well). Also, Bipolar I does not mean having more frequent episodes than Bipolar II at all.