I experience mixed episodes now more than just plain out mania. Since I've had my son (he's almost 9), I have not felt more than a second or two relief from the depression and only a few months at a time away from the mania. Its taken my doc and me 4 years to figure out that I'm bipolar with mixed episodes. They are a horrible thing, I'm sorry you are going through this. I seem to have episodes that last for months at a time, with my feelings going from spasmodically energetic to morbidly depressed with racing thoughts and the desire to DO something but I am unable to complete any task during these times.

I wouldn't give up hope for the xanax to work, though I'm surprised it doesn't give you some relief from your anxiety already. What's the dosage? Maybe it needs to be bumped up a little bit? What are the other meds you take for the bp? I started Invega about 2 weeks ago and its helping lift the depression from my mania.

Blah, sorry, I seem to just talk about myself when I respond. I promise I'm trying to think of things to help...