That's a really good question. I think it probably differs from person to person. But overall I'd say it includes sadness and great happiness and in between (I guess contentedness?). I say this in the sense that sadness can be perfectly 'normal' (and not part of an episode) and great happiness can also be perfectly 'normal' (and not part of an episode).
Some people, at baseline, tend towards anger or pessimism, or impulsiveness, for example, so these things could easily not be part of an episode, or at least not until they become really problematic, in which case it could be a BP episode, or a different diagnosis.
I'm not sure, but overall I'd say episodes are truly at the extremes, and baseline is in the middle somewhere with plenty of wiggle-room for normal feelings of sadness, anger, happiness, etc., etc. I guess look around you, at people without BP, and see how they feel (if they tell you) and how they act. Even if sometimes it seems exaggerated, it may well be perfectly normal for them, and, although they may or may not have other mental health issues, they don't have a BP diagnosis. Hope this makes sense...
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