In reflection its easy enough for me to see that I was "cyclothymic" for a very long time with periods of depression and periods of very high productivity; and it was only last year that I started to lose control of the situation, culminating in me calling a doc early this year and getting help.

So I'd have to say mine has gotten more intense over the years and I now require meds to manage, just like my blood pressure and stuff. With meds, I feel more stable than I've ever felt, so hopefully my luck will continue.