More to worry about?

So I saw my new T again today. I asked why they placed me with him, and he said probably because he works with a lot of bipolar people, which is what I was hoping to hear.

We talked over my symptoms again, and he says it sounds more like full-blown mania than hypomania. That was a bit of a shock. I'm just starting to get used to the idea of bipolar ii, and now I'm hearing bipolar i, which just sounds even scarier. I mean, I know that both are serious, but "classic" manic depression is so much more intimidating to me. So now I am worrying about that (instead of doing any work.)

I have an appointment for a full psych evaluation next week, which will hopefully settle the question. But I'm curious what people here would say - what's the difference between mania and hypomania? I know hypomania is milder, but I can't really tell what that might mean in practice. Any examples?

For me, the line from hypomania to mania is crossed when I finally lose all rational thought and restraint in my actions. In hypomania, I can be hypersexual, but not cheat on my spouse. I will want to dance, but tend to stay out of the rain. When manic, I will dance in the rain and am at risk of cheating on my husband (not something I'm at all proud of). When I'm hypomanic, I get hyperreligious and will read and pray and meditate for long periods of time. When I'm manic, God calls me on the phone and all the answers of the Universe are suddenly crystal clear. I tend to get at least a few hours of sleep when hypomanic. When I'm manic, one hour a night will be enough, if that. My thoughts become too fast and I feel out of breath just sitting still, like there's something inherently revving inside me. When hypomanic, I get a lot accomplished. My brain is firing on all cylinders and ideas come quickly and easily. When manic, I can't focus and nothing gets done.

Does that help any?

Like what Dragonfly said. When hypomanic I get alot done I sleep maybe every second day. I feel happy euphoric , I am still in control in a way. When I am manic i sleep maybe every fourth night, the thoughts become so fast they are only fragmented thoughts which leaves me very low functioning, extremely unproductive. I become so mentally agitated that I can pace 17 hours on end, my mania usually takes at turn where I do not feel good at all, like I can feel myself losing self. It feels scary. I also get hallucinations and delusional. Not at all "fun". I hope that helps a little.

Thanks, Anika and dragonfly2. This does clear it up for me a bit.

My best guess would be that I've had manic episodes a long time ago, and lately it's only been hypomania (but the situation is very different as well).