BP I or II?

These paragraphs make it clearer to me why I am BP I and not II.

Bipolar type 1. People with bipolar type 1 experience mania consisting of distinct periods of persistently elevated, expansive or irritable mood. The mania may involve delusional ideas and impaired judgment. A manic episode is diagnosed if elevated mood occurs with three or more other symptoms for most of the day, nearly every day, for one week, or longer.
Bipolar type 2. People with bipolar type 2 experience what's called hypomania, a mild to moderate level of mania that is generally a less destructive state than mania. Hypomania may feel good to the person who experiences it and may even be associated with good functioning and enhanced productivity. Impaired judgment is rare.

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what did you do while manic?

That's why I too am BP 1, even though my mania doesn't rise to the level of, say, someone who thinks she's the Virgin Mary and walks down the street screaming Scriptural quotes. I have had serious impairment from delusions and severe agitation, as well as a shocking lack of insight; I even lost a job last year because of repeated manic episodes, so it's definitely had a major impact on my life.

That's a good, short, way to explain the difference!

I never, ever, have impaired judgement. I might make stupid decisions, but I always know they're not what I would normally do and choose to do it anyway. Usually I don't do it precisely BECAUSE I know it's not what I would normally do! And the things I do indulge in there's always the "I really want to do this! You probably shouldn't because it's not like you! Yeah, BUT it's totally something lots of people do normally so it's ok!" followed either by a decision to go through with it or not. I am quite productive and am way more on top of my game at work when I am hypo.

Just going by those two paragraphs, I'm definitely BP1 but have just been diagnosed BP2. I'm absolutely terrified of a repeat performance of my impaired judgement and deluded thinking. From what I've read, the treatments seem the same/similar?

So much to learn...

They are from the Johns Hopkins website.

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Spend money, do a lot of projects, felt like I could quit taking meds, less sleep, super happy.

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What about psychosis and paranoia? I thought they were a part of BP1 but not BP2.

Here is something else that puts me more in the bp2 category:
Bipolar Disorder I. Bipolar disorder I is characterized by at least one manic episode or mixed episode (symptoms of both mania and depression occurring simultaneously), and one or more depressive episodes, that last for at least 7 days. In most cases, manic episodes precede or follow depressive episodes in a regular pattern. Episodes are more acute and severe than in the other two categories.

Without treatment, patients average four episodes of dysregulated mood each year. With mania, either euphoria or irritability may mark the phase. In addition, there are significant negative effects (such as sexual recklessness, excessive and impulsive shopping, sudden traveling) on a patient's social life, performance at work, or both. Untreated mania lasts at least a week, and it can last for months. Typically, depressive episodes tend to last 6 - 12 months, if left untreated.

Bipolar Disorder II. Bipolar disorder II is characterized by episodes of predominantly major depressive symptoms, with occasional episodes of hypomania, which last for at least 4 days. Hypomania is similar to mania, but the symptoms (typically euphoria) are less severe and do not last as long.

Patients with bipolar disorder II do not experience manic or mixed episodes, and most return to fully functional levels between episodes. However, these patients have a more chronic course, significantly more depressive episodes, and shorter periods of being well between episodes than patients with bipolar disorder I. Bipolar II disorder is highly associated with the risk for suicide.

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From the Univ. of MD Med Center.

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I'm BP2 and last August I had a mixed episode. (My one and only in 46 years). It scared the crap out of me. My T agreed that it was mixed. So BP2 can maybe have mixed, but not often?

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Wow so I do not understand how I got a bipolar 1 diagnosis when I'm not even sure if I have hypomania...

Typically, depressive episodes tend to last 6 - 12 months, if left untreated. NOT A FUN FACT