I'm not really the right person to ask today. It does get better, but there are still really bad days and really manic super happy days. I was dx'd in spring '09 and found a meds combo that worked for me in summer '10 (but started trying meds in '08, not having the correct dx). Last time I was manic was summer '09. That was great. But then I crashed...always the climbing then the fall. I'm kind of depressed right now, but it's because I was drinking for the past week. My meds overall work really well to keep me in balance. Finding the right combo is time consuming and sporadic, but well worth it. Don't give up. Moods and episodes are temporary. Your life will seem so awesome on future days that you'll be glad you didn't give in.