There are probably different degress of any mental "illness".

Never heard of that either, in my experience if you've got it you sure as hell know it.

Get a second opinion.

There was another doctor who suspected he was bipolar early on, but my husband fired him. Maybe this doctor used the term "slightly" so he wouldn't fire them? I just don't know!

There are several different types, and yes, I believe, degrees of bi-polar. But only a licensed therapist/physician/psychiatrist should be able to diagnose it.

Some mild mental illnesses present as other things, in their onset, and so are often misdiagnosed. There should be a long battery of tests to determine for certain.

I agree with bw, get another opinion. And what heretic said. Your inner voice will know best what's really happening.

Maybe encourage husband to keep a short daily journal, with brief descriptions of how he's feeling and what's really going on. That can help with a diagnosis, hugely.

Here's a fairly straightforward answer for you both:

http://www.healthyplace.com/bipolar-disorder/diagnosis/diagnosis-of-bipolar-disorder/menu-id-786/

Hoping you find the answers you seek!

There is also a Bipolar Group here, they might be able to assist you more:

http://www.dailystrength.org/c/Bipolar-Disorder/forum

Another group that may be of interest is:

http://www.dailystrength.org/c/Family-and-Friends-of-Bipolar/support-group

This is for people who have a friend or family member who has been diagnosed with bipolar.

You have to have a manic episode to be diagnosed bipolar. My guess would be that his episode was mild, termed hypomania, and the doc just didn't phrase it well. I personally have a big problem with being diagnosed with a particular mental illness based upon a single incident that might have been caused by something else. Was he on antidepressants at the time? I am officially bipolar but don't buy it; I think it's pretty obvious it's depression with one hypomanic incident brought on by Prozac. They're not supposed to attach the label unless the mania continues after antidepressants have been stopped, but apparently sometimes they attach it anyway. You don't say if this doc is a specialist, GP or psychiatrist. Getting a second opinion certainly wouldn't hurt (or third, depending upon how you look at it).

There are definitely different degrees of bipolar. Slightly isn't a bad thing and certainly could be MUCH worse. :)

There is no mania this is why I think this is not a correct diagnosis. However it is as if I am living with two different men. He can be kind, funny, warm, and wonderful, then out of the blue have a complete fit in which he is mean, cruel, vicious, paranoid, and destructive. I never know which person he is going to be, or what sets it off. He has done underhanded and devious things in a fit of rage such as calling the police on me when I took the family car to a hotel when he was having a huge hissy fit. Obviously the police do not arrest wives for taking family cars but that was a low blow. He will go off and assume I am sleeping around, and has been known to flap his ears at my door attempting to listen in on conversations. He is fearful, he is controlling at times, and worries constantly about illnesses that exist only in his head. When he is wonderful, he is completely a different man. It may not be bipolar but it is something for sure and needs a proper diagnosis.

Hugs, lf, it could be so many things.

Keep knocking on those doors. It's the only way to find out what's going on.

((More hugs))

I was also diagnosed as "slightly bipolar"... 2 months later I'm in the psych ward with the doc there telling me there's no chance in hell (not exact words) that i'm bipolar.

That diagnosis was based on my now ex-bf telling her I have a "fiery temper" and me having issues concentrating.... she decided that was me having racing thoughts or whatever...

Anywho, I agree with the others. Get a second opinion.

I was in a psych ward with mania and was not diagnosed bipolar till nearly 20 years later during a period of severe depression.

You don't need to have mania to be diagnosed bipolar II. They are mostly on the depressed side. They don't have episodes of mania. I think it is highly unprofessional to diagnose someone as "slightly" bipolar. Either you are, and have the symptoms in the DSM IV or you do not.

Get a referral to a pdoc, and get a proper diagnosis. It could get worse with time if it is bipolar, and early treatment could help. Or, it could be just a doc over eager to jump on the bipolar bandwagon. Sorry you are going through this.

Spotted this right here, just a few minutes ago...

http://www.sharecare.com/question/bipolar-depression-diagnosed#cmpid=scw

Hope it all helps

This may explain clearly what the different types of Bi- Polar are
http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mentalhealthinfo/problems/bipolardisorder/keyfactsbipolardisorder.aspx
I am making a guess that the dr may mean Cyclothymia type? but at the end of the day the the criteria you both need to work on is the impact it has on you.
The book "Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder" by Julie A. Fast is very good and you can order this from Amazon.
Hope this is of help
PS My ex wife Has Bi-Polar type 1 and daughter type 2

I have what they call bi polar 2. I don't know the difference between the two, but when I checked for symptoms of bipolar II they hit me right on the head with some of my problems. Especially when I get manic.