Probably very tricky! As I said some times just coming out of a deep depressive mood and going to baseline could feel like hypomanic because any thing is elevated from depression. But rapid cycling I think is more in and out of each. Rapid cycling is four or more manic, hypomanic, or depressive episodes in any 12-month period. Ultra Rapid is not in the DSM but is recognized by many pdocs as legit, and ultra would be like more then 4 in a month. There is also ultra, ultra rapid cycling is also not in the DSM yet but is considered legit by many pdocs is even more crazy, could be several per week or per day.

Rapid is more common then ultra, and ultra more common then ultra-ultra. Not sure how common mixed is compared to rapid cycling.

Mixed is both at the same time. Like you described it earlier. It has to be really difficult to distinguish the difference even if you are the one having it.

It seems the bipolar spectrum gets wider and wider every year