I have not been in the hospital in five years. I am 55 and have been in a total of 5-6 times. I seem to go about 2-3 years normal then the hypo, then a frenzy, then a crash with a long depression. In hypo, I seem totally normal (just efficient), so my real disabling problem is the depression. I have been able to stay out of the hospital for a long time, because my husband works from home now and could take care of me. I am also VERY compliant with meds and have a good T and pdoc. Right now, I am coming off a two year depression where I basically lived on the couch and in bed. I have my good days where I get around pretty good, and then my "couch" days. I am waiting for the normal to return.