Welcome!

You might be here since you were just diagnosed, have a loved one with bipolar, or simply want to learn more. In this page, I go over some of the most common terms you’ll come across when it comes to bipolar.

Bipolar 1

A type of bipolar disorder characterized by at least one episode of mania. See more here.

Bipolar 2

A type of bipolar disorder characterized by at least one episode of hypomania and depression. See more here.

Cyclothymia

A type of bipolar disorder characterized by a long-standing history of subclinical hypomania and depression. See more here.

Depression

A hopeless/sad/empty mood state with multiple other symptoms. See more here.

Euthymic

The baseline mood state i.e. “normal mood” (whatever that means!)

Hypomania

An elevated/expansive/irritable mood state with multiple other symptoms which is not as severe as mania. See more here.

Mania

An elevated/expansive/irritable mood state with multiple other symptoms which is more severe than hypomania. See more here.

Mixed Episode

Mixed episodes are episodes in which features of the opposite “pole” are present i.e. a depressive episode with manic/hypomanic features.

Rapid Cycling

Four or more episodes of mania, hypomania, or depression in a 12 month period. See more here.