Manic (Bipolar I) Episode:

distinct period during which there is an abnormally and persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable mood lasting at least 1 week (or less if hospitalization is required

Must be accompanied by at least three (3) of the following symptoms (4 if mood is only irritable); inflated self esteem/grandiosity, decreased need for sleep, pressurized speech, racing thoughts, distractibility, psychomotor agitation, excessive involvement in pleasurable activities with a higher potential for painful consequences, increased involvement in goal-directed activity

Disturbance must be sufficiently severe to cause marked impairment in social and occupational functioning or to require hospitalization, or is characterized by the presence of psychotic features

Symptoms not due to direct physiological effects of medication, general medical condition, or substance abuse

Symptoms do not meet criteria for a mixed episode

Hypomanic (Bipolar II) Episode:

distinct period during which there is an abnormally and persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable mood lasting at least 4 days

Must be accompanied by at least three (3) of the following symptoms (4 if mood is only irritable); inflated self esteem/grandiosity, decreased need for sleep, pressurized speech, racing thoughts, distractibility, psychomotor agitation, excessive involvement in pleasurable activities with a higher potential for painful consequences, increased involvement in goal-directed activity

Hypomanic episodes must be clearly different form the usual non-depressed mood and there must be a clear change in functioning that is not characteristic of usual functioning

Changes in mood and functioning must be observable by others – in contrast to a manic episode, a hypomanic episode is NOT severe enough to cause marked impairment in social or occupational functioning, does not require hospitalization or demonstrate psychotic features

Symptoms not due to direct physiological effects of medication, general medical condition, or substance abuse