My doc thinks that I am in the bipolar spectrum, though I do not experience text-book hypomania or mania. I can have periods of intense spiritual growth with marked contentment, and increased ability to reach out to meet other's needs, but these times have never been a problem in any way. THen I crash, big time, and the depression is overwhelming, and fraught with suicidality. Good periods can last up to 3 years. THe extreme severe times kind of go on for years too, though in a sense, I can climb out of the suicidality in a week or so, at least to the point that I don't have to sit on my hands to keep myself from acting on them. I seem to be very reactive to circumstances and can experience a down-turn overnight. Does this sound like it could be BP II to anyone? I have started Lamictal now, and really don't know if it is helping yet. Doc says it can level out the depressive symptoms and that sure sounds good to me! ANyone experience anything like this?