The I & II of Bipolar

One of the biggest differences between bipolar I and bipolar II is mania vs. hypomania. Personally, my hypomania is characterized by increased energy, decreased need for sleep (why sleep over 2 hours a night when there is so much to learn and do out there in the world!).

While the increased energy can actually negatively impact my day to day life the real impairment comes from the lack of sleep. Mania, on the other hand, directly and severely impacts ones day to day life. The bipolar I brain in a manic episode can be flooded with feelings of grandiosity so extreme that they lose touch with reality. Psychotic symptoms can be exhibited and manic episodes often end in a hospital stay.

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