Everyone has mood swings from time to time; feeling high and feeling low are part of life.

It is only when these moods become extreme and interfere with personal and professional life that Bipolar Disorder may be present.

Bipolar Disorder I (previously known as manic depression) is the more severe disorder. Episodes of highs and lows are severe and persistent, functioning is impaired and psychotic features may be present. The Depressions experienced by people with Bipolar I are generally of a melancholic or psychotic type.

The highs in Bipolar Disorder II are less severe, often tending to be briefer with no psychotic experiences. However, the depressions are equally as severe for people with Bipolar II as for people with Bipolar I.

Links and resources: http://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au