Looking back from stability, yes, I was hypomanic and manic for months at a time, but I can't say it was for 3, 6, or 9 months .... can't say a set period. I did, in Vermont, tend to be manic in the winters when the sun would reflect off the sun and depressed in the summers when I'd stay inside to get away from the heat! A reverse SAD of sorts. I've also spent months on end depressed.

I eventually learned how to function fairly well when hypomanic, without casual sex or too much stupid spending, but I was grounded by marriage, children and work.... and not very hypo at all. I don't suggest anybody shoot for this. On the other hand, I tend to resent my pdoc's tendency to medicate me to what I call a 4 on the mood scale... just slightly sub-par, to make sure there are no hypomanic days at all.

And yes, Bipolar tends to be progessive, which is why this 21 year veteran of the bipolar wars takes her Geodon every single day without fail.