According to http://www.nimh.nih.gov, there are four types of mood episodes in bipolar disorder. Each type of bipolar disorder mood episode has a unique set of symptoms:

(1)          Hyper-Mania:  The manic phase of bipolar disorder involves severe mood swings from hyperactivity, racing thoughts and speech, insomnia, heightened creativity, feelings of euphoria, power, invincibility, and greatness to extreme anger, irritability, and aggression, reckless “instant gratification” behaviors with little regard for consequences, poor judgment, delusions and hallucinations.

(2)          Hypo-Mania:  Hypomania is a less severe form of mania. People in a hypomanic state feel euphoric, energetic, and productive, but they are able to carry on with their day-to-day lives and they never lose touch with reality.  Hypomania can still result in bad decisions, and often escalates to full-blown mania or is followed by a major depressive episode.

(3)          Depression:  In addition to those of regular depression, symptoms of bipolar depression include irritability, guilt, unpredictable mood swings, feelings of restlessness or agitation, slow thoughts, movements and speech, excessive sleep patterns and weight gain, a much higher tendency to lose contact with reality through a true psychotic depression, and a much higher tendency for a major disruption in work and social functioning.

(4)          Mixed Episodes:   A mixed episode of bipolar disorder features symptoms of both mania or hypomania and depression. This combination of high energy and low mood makes for a particularly high risk of suicide.