Coco, Christina hits it pretty succinctly with her observation that it would be easy to
identify "mixed" episodes based on how a person responds at any one time to questions about symptoms he/she experiences.

The best source I've seen on this is Manic-Depressive Illness by Dr. Frederick K. Goodwin and Dr. Kay Redfield Jamison, on pages 44-49. I can't quote their material because their book has copyright laws applicable to the work, so you'll need to read it yourself to get the clearest, most accurate understanding of mixed episodes in
bipolar illness.

What they do suggest is that the mixed episodes are part of the dynamic of bipolar illness and not a distinct and separate form of bipolar illness. They also suggest
that all manic-depressive reactions are mixed types because the symptomatology is never static in the illness. Both phases of hypomania and depression may manifest at the same time and it is in these conditions that mixed episodes are most readily identified as part of the larger spectrum of bipolar illness.

So-oo-o, are you trying to determine if you have "mixed" bipolar illness? My answer would be that you may have episodes of "mixed" hypomanic and depressive states simultaneously that could be identified as "mixed", but it is still part of the larger spectrum of Bipolar Illness, according to these writers.

Just for your information, Bipolar I is distinguised from Bipolar II based on the facts that mania is not full-blown in Bipolar II, but the depression of Bipolar II is deeper and longer-lasting than in Bipolar I. There may not be psychotic breaks in Bipolar II as there are in Bipolar I, but I can imagine after reading Manic-Depressive Illness that "mixed" states occur in both, even in cyclothymic (or prepsychotic) bipolar illness.

It's a very thorough explanation in Dr. Goodwin's and Dr. Jamison's work. If you have the time, your library no doubt has a copy and you can check it out.

Feel better soon; enjoyed talking with you. Am posting a private message now.

Sleep well!