It's wrong.

The difference between I and II is the intensity of the episodes.

Bipolar I is a true mania episode and major depressive episodes, bipolar II is hypomania and major depressive episodes. There are then definitions of mania and hyomania but usually mania includes psychosis (again a defined term).

Number of cycles can add in rapid cycling or ultra rapid cycling as an additional descriptor.

Best to check DSM for the definitions - I've seen some absolute bullshit definitions of mania etc online.

Remember these are defined man made distinctions - down to the length in days of an episode. That means it's easy to say that the definition you were give is wrong - but those distinctions may or may not have validity in the underlying biology or causes.

Tdoc is totally wrong. Also Tdocs are not the ones who Diagnose you or what type of BiPolar you have. That is your Pdoc's job.

Amount of Cycles, length of Cycles do not define a Diagnosis of BPI or BPII the only thing the pertain to is Rapid Cycling vs. normal Cycles.

Talk to your Pdoc about the possibility of being a Rapid Cycler....but don't get it stuck in your head that you need to change your Diagnosis and let that put you in a tailspin.


Bipolar I disorder is characterized by the occurrence of at least one manic episode, with or without mixed or psychotic features. Most patients also, at other times, have one or more depressive episodes, and all experience a hypomanic stage before progressing to full mania.

Bipolar II disorder is characterized by at least one episode of major depression and one episode of hypomania. Diagnosis for bipolar II disorder requires that the individual must never have experienced a full manic episode, unless caused by an antidepressant.

Just as I thought. My first PDoc said that if you are asking that question from a jail cell then you are I, and if you are in my office asking about it you are II.

LOL...that's one way to put it...

I usually give people the benefit of the doubt a few times. I would explain to your tdoc what you have found out about the difference and see if it's just a case of they meant to say one thing and said another. Either way if you approach it right your tdoc will be grateful they are not misinforming people about such things.

Loved your first pdocs line about the jail cell. :-D

Everyone's post above I agree with… Distinguishing between bipolar 1 and bipolar 2 is not based on frequency of cycles. Good thing you questioned his diagnosis. What is a T doc?

Tdoc is a Therapist or Psychologist. Pdoc is a Psychiatrist.

Thanks Kat :-)

I thought BP 2 was more depressive than BP1 which is more manic.

Did you read the definitions given above Chris....

BP II is more Depressive and BP I is more Manic.

I don't agree at all with the I being in jail and the 2 in the office. I am one, I have been hospitalized. That one fact makes me bipolar 1 even though I have not had mania in many years, although lots of hypomania. (And depression, of course!)

In fact, I have never been in jail, and never broken anything or hurt anyone, stolen, etc. Mind you, the police were good to me when they picked me up wandering around the wilderness, and took me directly to a hospital. I guess that is where I belonged, because I had not committed any crime.

I think that comment was meant a bit more "tongue in cheek".

There are many of us who've been through Manic Eps who've never been to jail. I'm 50 and I've never been read my rights, never gotten more than a speeding ticket. Never broken any other law in my life...never even been in a Police Car. Never done recreational drugs, don't drink at all, no recreational sex. I'm the most boring straight-laced BiPolar person you'll probably meet.

When I used to get Manic the only person I "hurt" was me....no sleep, no food, hamster wheel brain on 200mph non-stop...work, work and more work, lots of papers got written, projects, the house got cleaned and over-cleaned and painted and yeah it was that kind of crazy....for days and days....

There are many different types of Manic Eps.

My older sister (deceased) she was the "go wild, land in jail, cause damage" type of Manic Ep. BiPolar person.