Thanks, Jenna, for this added information.
I do tip my hat to you, as I know you have much more information than I concerning this disorder, (and probably much more!)
But, (and this is just a question for comprehension, ok?), if mood is stabilized, and the symptoms that remain are minute and not enough to cause disturbances in the individual, isn't that, then, what the desired result is?
I mean, we all have ups and downs. Bipolar, like depression, cause extreems. Those extreems interfer with life functioning. That's where the issue lies.
If there were no "symptoms," that is to say, no ups and downs at all, we would be flat - affectiveless.
That surely isn't the goal of treatment, is it? Life without feelings would be unbearable, it seems to me.
Perhaps I just don't understand, but, I took that statement to mean that they continued to have symptoms that interfered with daily functioning. I know that's a true statement for major depressive disorder.
I do hear you, though, and totally agree that it's a continuum, rather than a distinct difference. Thanks for the clarification, here. And for sharing your knowledge so freely.
Shalom!