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People with Bipolar Disorder have episodes when their mood may be at a very high point (or manic), and other episodes when they are feeling an emotional low (or depression). Sometimes people with Bipolar Disorder experience "mixed episodes," as well. That's when symptoms of mania and depression both happen at the same time. Different people experience Bipolar Disorder in different ways. So understanding your symptom patterns can help your doctor choose the treatment that's right for you.

There are two common types of Bipolar Disorder, and they are based on the patterns and severity of symptoms, or episodes.

• Bipolar I Disorder, the classic form of the illness, is the most severe type of Bipolar Disorder. Frequently enduring the extreme 'highs' of manic episodes, people with Bipolar I Disorder are those who have endured at least one manic or mixed episode that occurred nearly every day for at least 1 week.
• Bipolar II Disorder is characterized by one or more depressive episodes accompanied by at least one episode of hypomania. Hypomania symptoms are similar to manic episodes but are less severe. These episodes are clearly different from the person's normal mood.