well it took me awhile but i did stabilize and have a normal life. i have been stable for years for the most part. i had an episode where a stupid doc put me on an antidepressant, which triggered my mania...she should have known better. and when my ptsd is triggered that can induce mania but i also had to get off one of my meds due to side effects. otherwise i have been stable for over four years. but it took a lot to get there.. trying almost every med out there and being really pushy with the doctors. i REFUSED to stay on meds with side effects while they wanted me to stick it out or try higher doses of things that werent showing signs of working. i feel if they were going to work, i would notice something at a lower dose. so you have to be a strong advocate for yourself and not let doctors push you around nor let them make you settle for "good enough" you can have great.