Am I Bipolar I or II?

The Psychiatrist has diagnosed me with Bipolar disorder.
I have the sever depression that correlates with both type I and type II.
My manic or hypo-manic episodes give me excessive reserves of energy and I feel jittery or wired. All of my ideas seem great to me I feel like I am greatly superior in intellect to others. I feel like i am a professional driver (I know the top speed of every car I have driven during my "up" times). I am very talkative and often make inappropriate remarks often sexual in nature. I am more sexual but not promiscuous. Sleep 2-4 hrs and wake up feel fine. I see things vividly and I enjoy touching things. My mind moves a-mile-a-minute and I often sing. I am often more irritable and anxious during this time. I am often called annoying or sometimes belligerent by people who do not know me. I am very tense as well during these "Up" times. I am actually pretty good with money. If I think of any thing else I will post it after responses. I know the writing is Choppy I was jut trying to list symptoms. Thank you so much ahead of time i am just trying to figure things out I greatly appreciate all the help you guys have to offer.

Hi Nate!

First and foremost, I'd ask your pdoc, he/she will know best.

That said, what you describe is how I feel when I'm hypomanic, not manic. When I'm manic it morphs into full blown paranoia and delusions. I could be wrong -and people out there please feel free to contradict me- but I think Bipolar I is when you have some psychotic symptoms? Or is that not necessary?

Sounds like bipolar 2 to me as that's similar to what I go through when I'm hypomanic.

My understanding of the difference between bipolar 1 and 2 is that in bipolar 1 you're crazy high for lack of a better word to where you're out booking passage for everyone you know on a cruise around the world, and the like. With bipolar 2, you feel great, are very confident but aren't completely out of control--you're obviously far more impulsive than normal but not a crazy lack of control.

I agree, I'm a bipolar 1 and when I'm manic i have no kind of control... at all...If I was to guess I also would say bipolar 2.

I have a psych evaluation on the horizon! Thank you so much for the help I really appreciate this!

This is a question for your doctors.

From what I understand, the dividing line is whether or not you can function. Mania, by definition, means non-functional and often in need of hospital. If you're getting by, it's probably hypomania. Another dividing line is psychosis. Psychosis means mania.

I'm type 1 according to my doc. Always figured I'd be a type 2 for some reason but they say 1. I feel just as you described while fully manic but I also have pretty bad delusions on top of it. I hope this helps.

Look in my signature. Search my blog for mania. I know I've blogged while manic.

Sounds more like Bipolar 2, but there is a possibility it can be Bipolar 1 since mania can present differently in each person. What you describe reminds me of when I'm hypomanic or maybe in the very beginning beginning of true mania. My mania usually goes from being euphoric to dysphoric quite fast. I start getting paranoid, suspicious, but still elated with high energy, agitation, and lack of sleep, impulsiveness, disorganization, and lack of control. It's also extremely hard to focus, and I get the whole "flight of ideas."

Sometimes these features all at the same time can signify that it is BP1, especially if psychosis is involved, although not everyone BP1 experiences delusions/hallucinations. The consequences of mania are usually more severe than hypomania. It doesn't always result in hospitalization, but it definitely causes damage.

I can't make a diagnose per se, can only offer my experiences. I am Type I, rarely go manic, however when I do it is severe. I'm talking complete wrath and anger, psychosis, paranoia, etc. I can count the number of times it got that bad on one hand though.

You sound like Bipolar I to me, but without psychotic features. Feeling like you are greatly superior to others in intellect and sleeping only 2-4 hours sounds in-between hypomania and full blown mania. The clear thing is that you are bipolar, and the upcoming evaluation will further clarify matters for you. You are very lucky in that you continue managing your money fine while elevated; let us hope this ability of yours will persist into the future.

Your meds are consistent with either type.

Strangely enough, my bipolar 1 was diagnosed when I was in the hospital for suicidal depression, probably because I hallucinated cats running underneath the linen carts in the ER. However, I've been diagnosed with the same thing by three other providers on the basis of my manias. For me, there is a thin dividing line between mania and hypomania, and sometimes I can literally feel my hypo turn into full-blown mania within hours.

As for your situation, the best person to talk to would be your doctor. We can't really tell on a message board what sort of bipolar you have; but for whatever it's worth, your symptoms seem consistent with bipolar 2. Just my opinion. :-)

I do get very paranoid and feel as if the doctors and loved one are trying to harm me, or hold me back with psych medication. These paranoid feeling cause panic attacks limiting my functionability, I don't think I am delusional though. Maybe slightly of my self worth "grandiose" it leads me to argue with people that I feel oppose me.

Yes...I have this symptom too I'm afraid. It's a tough one....just got to fight it. Do you ever feel your intellects was a gift from god who is allowing you special insight?

I am only 18 I have fairly good saving habits for being in and out of work and school. I am currently on a psych leave of absence from work. Publix is a very good and understanding company to work for.

Not God, but I feel as if I am destined for greatness at times. I am almost the line between Hypomania and full-blown mania I feel.! I just need to know some reason I am tried of not knowing the reasons for my behavior my evaluation hopefully with give me the insight I desire.

If I came in with your symptoms they would consider it full blown manic. Doctors can all be different in how they diagnose but I had several doctors who only had my argumentative behavior and feelings of superiority to hold against me (there was a lot more going on but I didn't tell them because I thought they were trying to set me up to keep me, and I don't think I'm entirely exaggerating either. I had to say some legal stuff to get out. I know my rights which is sometimes a good thing and sometimes it's not so good. I can probably get out when I should be kept in.

How honest should I be then?

That I cannot say. Do you believe you are a risk to your or others safety?

Totally honest. Tell them everything. They can't help you if you don't give them the whole picture.

This is very good advise. Read my disclaimer at the bottom for further explanation

I am not psyically violent. I can be extremely wreckless though which can be a slight risk I believe. I can be confrontation though which can lead to stuff.

In what ways do you mean reckless? What does your confrontation lead to? Problems with employer?

You kinda had me sold at "driving reckless". When I do that it's probably best if I'm entirely honest. It's a public safety issue really.

I act on impulse or flawed intuition what ever idea I have at times sounds good, but sometimes aren't ei driving reckless, picking up a new Hobbie and thinking I will excel at it because I am so damn talented, or I will say hurtful thinks to people I love and I don't know why, sometimes I feel like I am being challenged or undermined and it bothers me to the point I will say antagonizing things to them to get them to hit me so I have a reason to fight them. I lead me into most trouble making friends and keeping them. My uninhibited joking drives people away as well I believe. I never had a problem with an employer.