Is there SUCH a MASSIVE difference in the BP spectrum?

I have been wondering about this too. I get "your case is mild" all the time, because I don't do outrageous things and stuff....

but I get "symptoms" that not many can relate... most of them internal (non-lineral perception of time, getting obsessed and stuck on words and their meanings - and sometimes losing it). It makes me wonder if that is something else, or what.

I'm guessing I got a bipolar 1 dx because of the length of mania, the severity of the mania and complete lack of being able to function while manic. I don't do any dangerous things anymore except for overspending. I used to when I was young but my lifestyle has changed a lot. and I am very aware of negative consequences. Don't want to go there. I have never driven so I don't have any experience with reckless driving.

There is no way I could show up for work if I am manic, my mania usually turns into mixed after a while and I can barely do anything except pace back and forth. That can go on for a month or so with meds. my last unmedicated manic episode lasted about 9 months. That was the last time I made really poor decisions. I've also never gotten hypomania without it turning into full blown mania. I wish tho.... sort of, that some part was enjoyable at least a bit.

If it weren't for the mixed episodes, I would fit bipolar ii exactly. I don't really care about specifics about diagnosis. The meds and other treatments for bipolar work for me when the treatments for unipolar depression did not and in fact make things worse. The only time I actually saw my official diagnosis is when I was applying for the disability grant through student finance. It's not really important to me.

I, like you Anika pace up and down- this is during my mixed episodes. I cannot stop and have been so aggitated that I've kicked the cupboard door in. Another time I couldn't stop pacing up and down but was so ridiculously happy I couldn't do anything coz it was 'boring'. Do these sound like mixed episode and mania or is it hypomania. I'm sorry to ask. I just don't know!

I was diagnosed as bipolar 1 because when I get manic I can't shut up, I can't sleep, I can't quit talking and I pick fights (verbal, not physical) with people, usually my husband, mom and MIL. They let it roll off their backs and just tell me that I need to get an appointment with my psych.

Another thing is when I start getting some mania I start hallucianting--hearing stuff and seeing stuff. I'll do it sometimes when I'm not manic but not near as often or to such a degree. Right now my halluciantions are limited to a tabby cat that keeps showing up. :0) If I start slipping into mania I hear voices, see people, hear bells and people vomiting (weird, I know)--stuff that can be pretty scary at times.

Not in my experience.

I've actually started collecting symptoms, like some people collect stamps, but even when I compile the whole list it doesn't make any sense (and really why should it? It's insanity, not mushroom species)