I've always been sort of uncomfortable with the way the DSM treats BP I and BP II as separate illnesses.

My pdoc and I are always talking about how I sort of lie somewhere in-between Bipolar I and II. For the most part, I appear to have Bipolar II. My depression lasts for 5 or 6 months every year, and it can get so deep that I have difficulty moving, my thoughts slow, and I become mildly psychotic. I was diagnosed with BP II because of my irritable hypomania, but I had a single full-blown manic episode two years ago and that qualifies me for a BP I diagnosis.

What do you think about the idea that Bipolar Disorder might be more of a spectrum disorder rather than a collection of distinct illnesses?