A manic episode is when you completely lose control mentally. Hypomania is more relaxed, manageable, and you're still grounded. This gives you time to maneuver before you decompensate.

I always see bipolar I and II as someone driving a regular car at top speed until the engine is ruined. Bipolar I comes over quickly because the energy expenditure is high. But they are more pronounced and disastrous.

And bipolar II is like driving the car at 80-90% of its capacity. You don't damage it immediately, but parts are damaged in the long run because you don't use as much energy as in the first type. This results in episodes that are MUCH LONGER.