Patients with bipolar disorder frequently have varying degrees of mixed states rather than pure episodic manic and depressive episodes. However, DSM-IV-TR and ICD-10 criteria do not fully account for patients' varying presentations; currently, there is no consensus on whether mixed states is a distinct, categorically different type of mania or whether it is a transitional state between depression and mania. Inconsistent diagnostic criteria can be problematic for clinicians when treating patients.