What is the cut off between a "thought disorder" and a "mood disorder"?

I know that having a diagnostic label is not important, it can be stigmatizing, and its more important to get the right treatment. But I really want to know if bipolar is a "mood disorder", then why do I have so many issues with paranoia, delusions, hearing sounds and seeing things (mostly light around people and changes in color and dimension is the best way I can put it in words) irrespective of a mood episode?

I am told that I have great insight about my own condition, symptoms and how I relate with those around me. I definitely know when I am depressed, I know of all my other symptoms as listed above but it never really registers with me when I am in am in a manic episode until after the fact.

The bipolar workbooks that Ive read, some of the other bioplar books that are out on the market don't seem to address anything that could be considered psychosis so I think this is why for a while now I've rejected my bipolar diagnosis, and at times rejected these things were psychosis.

I also have a diagnosis of PTSD so would this be a contributing factor?

With respect, I think you're hung up on the literal definition of "mood", when in my opinion the term "mood disorder" is used as a softened, more socially-palatable euphemism for the more frank but intimidating label MENTAL ILLNESS, describing a state of dis-ease of the function of the brain, and you're wondering why your very serious symptoms of paranoia, delusions, and hallucinations could be dismissed as "disorders of mood". Bipolar disorder is euphemistically described as a "mood disorder", but as you know too well, you suffer from full-blown mental illness. That's my take on what you meant; apologies if I misunderstood.

What you experience may best be described (using the DSM nosology/classification) as schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type. Thought disorders may be part of it as well as all BP symptoms, and basically all other symptoms of schizophrenia. Sometimes it's referred to as schizomania (it's shorter yet descriptive).

Manic-depression (BP-I) and schizophrenia were and sometimes still are seen as psychotic disorders. BP-II is rather new and easier for non-psychotic people to understand and describe. It's also nicely separate from schizophrenia, like a non-militarised zone between normal people that are scared of us and want to change us or lock us up, and us with a psychotic disorder.

What you and I both described in another thread about mixed statesmanically senselessness could maybe be seen as thought blocking, a thought disorder, and something that is at least close to catatonia (I know from severe catatonia that it's rather similar but arguably less severe), and the delusions and hallucinations are Schneiderian first-rank symptoms of schizophrenia. All these are positive symptoms.

Psychosis can cause disorganisation of beliefs. If they persist and stay quite strong you may create a belief system to deal with psychosis that may make you more accepting and accommodating, but it can cause passivity and avolition. It is in a way being satisfied with anything. These are negative symptoms.

The distinction between both types if very difficult: there is an interaction, they are not really separate, but the former may be considered primary and the latter secondary.

There is generally a belief of being special (which would be correct) and that may cause persecutory delusions. There is also another reason for these delusions: doubt. Not being able to trust your beliefs (and senses) makes you doubt the intentions of others. You're vulnerable.

That's basically it. Everyone may have different symptoms that take centre stage when it comes to schizophrenia, but most if not all, are present to some extent.

If you have mania and depression, affective psychoses, as well as (most of) the other symptoms, especially some of the negative symptoms and (formal) thought disorders or catatonia, more or less, it is schizomania.

I have schizomania.

Mental illness is a ridiculous label. It makes people feel more safe, like they can't be absorbed by psychosis and lose themselves forever. That may happen. I can attest to that (at least up to now).

I don't care (much). I don't need to call it a disease. I transformed completely and have for the most part accepted the new me. There is no more I that was left untouched. Just my behaviour to counteract all these difficulties and the confusion and find a way of expression and displacement, a personality.

But for some it might be best to "believe" in the illness story.

But is might be "just"/mostly anxiety. PTSD may/will cause doubt and anxiety. And BP with psychotic features. Of course these interact as well.

I am not entirely sure what you mean by a cut off...but schizophrenia is a 'thought' disorder and bipolar/depression are mood disorders. A person having symptoms of both thought and mood disorders could possibly have schizoaffective disorder-bipolar type. There are some articles on all of these different issues if you look at the 'conditions' tab at the top of this website.
The value in having a label is in getting the correct treatment. However, a mental illness label does not affect the value of an individual. I am a person with bipolar disorder...I am not 'bipolar'. No more than I would say I am excema, or I am arthritis. I am a person with excema and arthritis.

Yeah I never understood the term "mood disorder" but I get what you are explaining and that makes sense to me.

This is basically it right here. I want greater clarification on whther or not I have schizoaffective BP type or BP. What concerns me is that have symptoms regardless of a "mood episode" and not triggered by PTSD issues.

My current psych prescriber thinks that none of this matters and that treating the symptoms matters and I understand and respect that opinion, but correct diagnosis matters to me. I want to know what this is. I want to put a name to it.

I'm actually bp w. psychotic features but I feel I'm more SzA. I've seen BP w/o psychosis it looks different. I'd put SzA as your Dx. Do you have a therapist you can talk this through with?

My understanding of schizoaffective is the part where the sz symptoms are present regardless of mood symptoms. I spent two years with a man with sza and a couple of things I noticed with him was the paranoid symptoms and 'seeing' things out of the corners of his eye even when moodwise he was stable, neither depressed or manic. However, something I found interesting...during times that he was in a moodswing and he would 'see' or 'hear' things, they were either positive or negative depending on whether or not he was depressed or manic. That isn't anything I had read about before.
He was also VERY physically sensitive to any changes in his body, like fevers or stomach ailments...they would throw his mental balance very quickly.
Not on topic I don't suppose but I thought I would mention it.

Just congruent affect and psychosis might be more like BP with psychotic features than schizomania. But the symptoms and criteria are far from fixed.

The DSM is not a "mechanistic cookbook", according to the (previous) DSM.

I'd say negative symptoms is what distinguishes BP from SZA/BP.

I never felt safer with the term "mental illness." It's a pretty scary term!