What is a bipolar disorder mixed state episode? As incredible as it might seem to some people, one of the symptoms of bipolar disorder may be something called a 'mixed state.' In this state of bipolar disorder, the individual is experiencing both the symptoms of mania and depression simultaneously. The individual with bipolar disorder affected with this mixed state experiences trouble sleeping, significant change in appetite, inappropriate agitation, as well as suicidal thinking and evidence of psychosis. A person with bipolar disorder in a mixed state also is in a depressed mood along with the manic activation. Psychotic symptoms that the individual with bipolar disorder may be afflicted with include hallucinations. This would include hearing or seeing things that just aren't there. Psychotic symptoms also include delusions, or the false fixed beliefs that are independent of any reasoning and contradictory evidence. Those specific psychotic symptoms normally associated with bipolar disorder reflect the extreme mood state at the time. This means that the person with bipolar disorder will generally tend to feelings of grandiosity during a manic episode and emotions bordering on worthlessness during the depressive states. Health care professionals make the diagnosis of a mixed state of bipolar disorder based on the following criteria. First, the person affected with bipolar disorder must meet both the criteria for a manic episode as well as for a major depressive episode nearly every day during at least a one-week period. The individual with bipolar disorder must also experience a mood disturbance sufficiently severe to cause a disruption in his job, social activities or his relationships with family and friends. Professionals consider the symptom a mixed state, additionally, if the individual with bipolar disorder is hospitalized to keep him from harming himself or others. Additionally, the professionals diagnosing the mixed state of bipolar disorder must be certain that it's not due to any substance abuse or the use of any kinds of medications.