I absolutely HATED being manic -- I don't know how people say they enjoy it. I too would take depression any day!

And yes, it did take medication to calm it down. Took a few tries to find one that worked and didn't make me sick or eat like a pig, but I'm reasonably stable now. My episode started right when I moved to a new town for a new job, and I couldn't get into a pdoc for 3 months. I'd say it lasted 4 or 5 months, would have to go back and look at my quiz scores to check. I'm told that untreated, episodes usually last about that long.

Good luck -- let me know if I can help.

Candy