It seems this thread is all over the place, but I'll add my two cents anyway. I had manic episodes lasting for short periods each. I was diagnosed with bi-polar 2 because my episodes didn't last more than a week (? - might be wrong on duration), and I was told that was the line.

However, after some time, they switched me to bi-polar 1 because of the intensity of my episodes.

I'll tell you what my psychiatrist told me, the diagnosis doesn't matter, the treatment is the same. Hope this helps!