Bipolar Disorder Support Group

Bipolar disorder is not just a single disorder, but a category of mood disorders marked by periods of abnormally high energy and euphoria, often accompanied by bouts of clinical depression. This is the place to talk about your experience with bipolar disorder, learn from others' experiences, and find support.

8,884 Members

129,554 Posts

0 Online

MMP1 12/27/2008

I understand what depression is. What is the difference between: hypomania, manic, mania and psychosis. Also what "order" do they come in when you're having an episode.

deleted_user 12/27/2008

hypomania and mania are differing degrees, manic and mania are different tenses of the same word, psycosis is a breaking away from reality. No way to tell what order some go straight mania some hang out hypomanic, some will go from hypomanic to manic and psycosis can occor anywhere on the chain

MMP1 12/27/2008

Thanks - that's what I thought. I have gone from hypomania to mania to pyshosis to depression twice in 3 years. Does that make me a rapid cycler?

deleted_user 12/27/2008

rapid cycling is more like days or hours, I dont get the rapid cyclcle and I have been in the hospital 6 times this year

MMP1 12/27/2008

Thanks for the feedback.

I've been in the hospital 3 times this year and have been diagnosed as BP I severe with psychosis - it's the psychosis that lands me in the hospital each time. It looks as though my meds are working but I'm in an awful depression right now.

Join the Conversation