I had my first (very severe) manic episode when I was 18. The last episode I had was two years ago. These last two years I have stayed on lithium. It is the first time I have stayed on medication for any period longer than the length of an episode.

My manic episodes tend to last 1-2 weeks with a build-up prior to that of 2-3 weeks of hypomania. The depression that follows can go from a month to a year.

I went a ten year period without an episode during the time my kids were young, and my last episode came on the heels of the previous one just the year before. With those two exceptions, my episodes were always five years apart.

I rarely thought a great deal about my illness during the "off" times. I do more now. Pdoc appts., pills to take, and too much time on my hands now that I'm on disability are the likely reasons.