Bipolar Type 1 has mania while type 2 has hypomania (which are less severe episodes of mania). You can only have psychosis through bipolar 1. You do not have to have a hypomanic episode to have bipolar as long as you have had a depressive episode. For bipolar 1 you have to have at least 1 episode of mania. Mania lasts at least 1 week (bipolar 1) while hypomania lasts at least 4 days (bipolar 2). Depressive episodes last at least 2 weeks. If you have any more questions, please message me 💕

I was just diagnosed myself about two and a half months ago, and I haven't asked my doctor if I'm 1 or 2 either. The research I've done says that the difference is in how the manic episodes affect you. Bipolar 1's are profoundly affected (usually negatively) by manic episodes, whereas the hypomanic episodes of bipolar 2's are still dramatic, but less so, for lack of a better way of putting it. This is all putting it very simply and I'm still new to it myself, so someone with more experience can add to this, but I hope it helps some.

When I was first diagnosed it was NOS, not otherwise specified. I got a bipolar 2 diagnosis within a year. Years later, my diagnosis was changed to bipolar 1 after I had a manic episode. Talk to your psychiatrist again to get clarification.

That's why I hate doctors and psychiatrists, they don't explain shit and trap you work "helpful" therapy sessions when really it's a money trap. I would honestly go to YouTube and learn about your diagnosis. I didn't know how to deal with it until researched it myself. The Internet CAN be a wonderful thing. What's the new thing "Elmo's world says?" "What do we do when we want to learn something new? WE LOOK IT UP!" 🤣🤣🤣

1 is characterized by mania and depressive episodes but the manic episodes are usually more intense than the depressive episodes and type 2 usually has longer depressive episodes and instead of mania it causes hypomania, which is less intense than mania. (not a professional tho that might not be entirely accurate)

I’d either schedule a second appointment asap and ask for clarification on your diagnosis OR I would ask for clarification about your diagnosis from a second provider. I hope you are doing well, I know how scary this diagnosis is. But just remember everything will be okay. You’ve got the support of your Alike family 💜