What is bipolar?

my doctor told me I have bipolar but I dont really know what it is but they dont know what type they have type 1,type,type 2 and type 3 its based on 1 meaning not all that bad and 3 being the worst

Bipolar is where you cycle through the extremes of mania to depression. I also think the higher the number the more frequent and intense the depressive episodes are than the manic episodes.

well one minute I'm all happy next mintue I'm yealling at people and I dont mean it I fell bad after

I've never heard of bipolar 3, but I have asked a friend who has been doing research for the last two years in bipolar, so I will get back to you on that one.

As for the difference, Odal basically has it. I wont dont want to get too technical on you (unless you actually want the diagnostic criteria) but

In Bipolar 1 - mania(anger, rage, irritability are symptoms) + usually depression
In Bipolar 2 - hypomania (lesser severe mania) + major depression, the depression being worse than the mania

Your doctor really should have explained this to you in detail, and next time you see him/her I would talk to them about it...

But no, it is simply about what affects you most (the mania or the depression). If you do find out what Bipolar 3 is pls let me know!

My friend got back to me! Here's her exact answer

There is no Bipolar 3 and if you look for it you are not going to find it. There is Bipolar 1 and 2. Bipolar 1 is characterized by periods of full blown mania and major depression. In rare cases Bipolars 1 have never had a major depressive episode, but one mania episode is required for diagnosis.

Bipolar 2 is characterized by hipomania (which is a mild mania that doesn't cause distress and doesn't interfere with functioning) and major depression.

There is Cyclothymia. People that have this have hypomania and a mild depression. Usually this is chronic, which means that lasts for a long time (mild ups and downs for 2 years).

there is bipolar 3 cause my step brother has it

It is not an official disorder as such, and is not in the diagnostic book, but I did manage to find something about it, it apparently refers to hypomania that arises from antidepressants...

Get a second opinion. Many doctors thoughtlessly dish out this diagnosis.

Well it is kinda like your happy one minute then Mad the next

thats true but I have saddness to with it

my counslor sees me more angry and depress more than anything