Cindy, when I had rapid cycling for years, it was more like you than the "4 times a year" variety. And someone else mentioned Mixed States, and I had those too, then with the Hypomania/mania, suicidal Bipolar Major Depression, psychosis of sorts and then the obligatory panic and anxiety which I've noticed is common to every Bipolar patient I have communicated with, no wonder we have lifelong functionality problems, suicide etc.

I was profoundly mis-medicated for years and it exacerbated all the above symptoms, I lost everything in my life and ultimately nearly died at my own hand. But after finding a new psych in a new town who discovered the class of meds I was on was killing me, I have progressively continued to allow myself to be a guineau pig and have hit the right mix of meds. And the Rapid Cycling and Mixed States, Hypomania and Mania are largely no more. I struggle now most with the Bipolar major depression, but Lamictal is even helping with that. And of course not being hypomanic or manic lessens those plunges down into Bipolar Major Depression too.

I wanted to tell you that so you know that is it possible to transition from those major symptoms. I still can't work, but I have started part time study and as of today X fingers) it's going OK.