I'm a rapid cycler. I have major mood episodes twice a year that I can virtually count on; they coincide with the change of seasons. I also experience many less severe swings that occur randomly and don't always have a precipitating cause. Then there are periods of relative stability like the one I'm in right now, which last for variable amounts of time (this one has gone on for over four weeks, yay me!) but rarely for more than a few months.

I'd say that my manic to depressive episode ratio is roughly 1:3, although last summer I was either manic, hypomanic, or bordering on mania for the entire season. Truth be known, I'd prefer to be hypomanic most if not all of the time.....I love the exuberance and the childlike joy that come with the highs!

Being stable is great, but unfortunately it comes with the absence of "WOW", and I'm addicted to the "WOW". It's what I live for, why I endure the depression in order to get to the good part again. I know that's not the way it's supposed to be, but it's sooooooo hard not to want it....