Based on my understanding of bipolar, hypomania is a lower form of mania where you're revved up feeling great with racing thoughts and the like, but it's not the full blown sell everything and book passage on a cruise around the world for everyone you know type craziness. I believe full blown mania can include psychosis where you're hearing and seeing things that aren't there. I don't think you can be bumped from one to another, at least I never came across anything like that, and I did a great did of reading on the subject years ago after being diagnosed.