I find this very interesting. I will be 59 in July, and have had episodes of depression since I was 14. It would alternate with periods of extreme happiness where I drove too fast (15-20 speeding tickets and other driving infractions), and abused substances too much (rehab when I was 35). I haven't had an episode of hypomania in years, just that god awful depression. I do have periods where I feel good, sometimes really good, but I am always aware of that depression lurking just below the surface ready to grab me at any time.

I actually think I'm kind of sad about this as I always enjoyed the hypomania.