I think functioning levels can vary a lot based on whether someone is having an episode or certain symptoms. Actually, the ironic part for me is that I can often be most productive during hypomania and really excel in the workforce, but my symptoms still cause a lot of issues in all other areas of my life. There are times when I can be considered "high functioning" but very much struggling with the symptoms. I also have periods of time where I may appear low functioning, especially when depressed or in a mixed state and needing time off from work. This is why I really do not like the terms "high functioning" and "low functioning," because they do not fully capture what is going on with the person's Bipolar symptoms. I even hear mental health professionals are moving away from those terms too for that very reason.