Bipolar I disorder. This involves experiencing manic episodes for 1 week or longer. Some people also experience depressive episodes for at least 2 weeks. You don’t have to have depressive episodes to be diagnosed with bipolar I disorder — one episode of mania is enough for this diagnosis.Bipolar II disorder. This involves experiencing hypomanic episodes for 4 days and depressive episodes for 2 weeks. Hypomania is less intense than mania, while the depressive episodes in bipolar II tend to be incredibly debilitating.During an episode of mania, bipolar symptoms can include:

inflated self-esteem or the belief that you’re more important, talented, or powerful than othersendless energytalking very quicklyracing thoughtsseeming or feeling easily distractedfeeling like you can accomplish anythingintense irritability or acting aggressivelynot needing much sleepacting impulsively and finding yourself in riskier situations, such as unprotected sex, overspending, or reckless driving

During a hypomanic episode, people experience milder symptoms of mania.During a depressed phase, bipolar symptoms can include:

feeling sad or hopelesslosing interest in pleasurable or usual activitiestrouble sleepingexhaustion or feeling lethargicfeeling guilty or worthlesstrouble focusingnegative thoughts about the futuregaining or losing weightsuicidal thoughts or actions

Keeping yourself on trackWith knowledge comes power — the power to stay on track with your treatment plan and play an active role in making decisions regarding your health.This means you can do two important things:

recognize your triggersmonitor your moods

Remember, things change. What was true for you a few months ago might no longer be the case. Keeping track of your symptoms will allow you to acknowledge changes and measure your progress.This is a process. The more you learn, the more you’ll be able to apply to managing your bipolar disorder.   

https://www.dbsalliance.orghttps://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/bipolar-disorder/https://psychcentral.com/disorders/hypomanic-episode-symptoms#how-to-manage-an-episode

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