only a pychiatrist would be able to tell cause it's tricky, but mainly bp 1 is more severe in the sense that the mania and the depression is more intense...bp 2 has more hypo-mania and less severe depression, but a whole lot of anxiety. I think the best way to know though is if you don't have to be commited and you are always aware of what's happening no matter how horrible and strange you feel.

Hi Tracy,
I would really only trust a good doctor to make that kind of diagnosis. It's often too subtle in many cases. After you get a dx, then you can read up, dis agree if you want, and come here to ask questions. But I would start with a doctor. good luck!

The main difference between type I and type II is whether or not you have hallucinations and delusions. Then there is also BP NOS (not otherwise specified) which doesn't fit into either category. That's my latest dx.
The psychiatrists (good ones) have a ton of "tests" to accurately diagnose you.

blueblur... I am BPII and I have had hallucinations and delusions. But I agree BP II is less severe than BP I and I think it has a lot to do with your ability to participate in things like work, I guess.

Lets see It has been a progression. It started I think with mixed staes when I was 10 got into mostly hypmania and mixed through 23 then the anxiety set in due to car wreck and kids especialy daughter being the same age I was when I was raped and became ultra rapid cycler sometimes several shifts in a day and constant thought of death and dieing....then came remission of sorts I guess I was just able to deal then I was hit like a brick!!!! BP1 severe depression so epressed I did not want to die I just slept for 30hrs at a time and stopped eating or waking.... I have been manic for two weeks now. I will be comming down shortly and I hope it won't land me in Mixed states as I am so suicidal its not funny!!!!

I would rather be depressed High or normal that mixed states place is so so dangerous. I have to be careful on my meds if me depekene brings me down too far I have to quickly stop the med and I have to hope I caught it in time and when going up I have to be carefu i don't get as High as I did last time.

I also NOW have to tell the therepist that I have had both auditory and visual halucinations... I just never thought that is what they were. I thought "SEEING" people shadows while driving that weren't there was NORMAL!!!!

Hearing things in the night or during the ay when I am alone was NORMAL!!!!

I figured over active immagination or self induced paranoia was all I was experiencing. I hate being ALONE at any time!!!!

Thank you all so much for being so candid. This disorder is so terribly unfair. It hurts not only you but everyone you come in contact with. Help is few and far between and I feel truely blessed for finding this place. Bless you all!

i'm bi polar and schizoaffective. i get the badge. truely, it just means what meds you take.