Mixed states sound awful. I'm not sure I have ever been in a mixed state though I might have been during my suicide attempt. That was kind of like being really depressed but still having energy which is not the norm. Usually I have trouble getting out of bed and suicide sounds like too much trouble to deal with. I'm just useless when I'm depressed. That's what really gets me down is the hopeless feeling.

hmmmmm...thats a hard question..I think depression for me..my manic is very extram never been hosptialzed cuz of it i can alway handle it even when i think i can't i still do worst case i go to my doctor and he ups me...but that i try to avoid unless needed..when i get depressed its normally deep..never like before i was on meds tho so i never consider it bad..my mix state sucks but i handle it..guess i handle it all I guess I have learnt how to deal with myself having bipolar..have been dx since 14 tho

Depression is so painful ,when its fullblown in bed for days and someone has too make your food.

Now I have mild depression wich makes me want to die the fist hour of waking up and wunder why I am even still trying for the rest of the day.

but I can still function.

Depression is what got me seeing a pdoc. I lived with it for many years, and it just about destroyed me. Mania was fun, although I got out of it more or less quite quickly. I love hypomania, except when it turns into dysphoria.

I am pretty good at managing the moods. Identification and understanding the moods is essential to managing them. Yesterday I was agitated and unmotivated, realized it was dysphoria, did NOT take the AD but did some very practical things like a longer period of meditation, and working out a bit harder today.

I think you asked a good question. I also want to recommend a mood chart, to start reflecting on your moods. That is really the beginning of understanding how you are feeling and why.

Definitely the depression is worse for me. It hurts. And it goes on and on.

depression is definitely worse for me. it makes me physically ill as well as emotionally. mania can be dangerous but i would rather be manic than depressed.

Mixed states are hell! I have only had 2, and I hope that is all I have.