The difference between mania and hypomania is that people with mania also have social and relational problems and could even be psychotic. This does not apply on people with hypomania.

The period when someone feels very sad and depressed is called depression. Between these extreme mood changes someone will feel quite normally and will also function quite normally. There are personal differences what weights the most in a manic depressive disorder. Some people will have more cycles of depression than (hypo)mania and other will feel more (hypo)mania than depressed. However, very often there is a recognizable pattern within a person who has bipolar affective disorder.

The mood changes are a huge drawback in functioning of daily life. Also in the period between mania and depression someone feels dis comfortable with his behavior as he is uncertain when the behavior will come back. He could also feel ashamed what he had done in the period of mania.

Does it pass by?
The disorder itself will not go away by itself. However there are medicine which can help you to keep the mood stable and prevent new cycles of depression or mania. Mood stabilizers like lithium are very popular to keep the mood stable. The first onset of manic depressive disorder is between 15 and 25 years old. One episode will endure approximately 3 to 6 months. A period of mania is often shorter than a period of depression. There is a very big difference between persons how they feel. Most of the people with this disorder will feel normal 6 months a year. If someone recovers depends on what he has done in the periods of onset. Often relationships are broken of someone will get unfit to work.

Important life events (negative but also positive) will influence first episodes more than  later episodes. Alcohol abuse and smoking weed and hasjies can strenghten the effect of manic depressive disorder. It also counts on what age is the first onset period. The younger you are, the more unfavorable the prospects are.

Of all the adult grown ups to 65 years old, 1-2% will get a manic depressive disorder and 0.5-1% will get the disorder this year.