The Surviving Manic Depression book I mentioned mostly presents mixed states from pages 38-40, but does mention other things about it on various other pages. I recommend this book, but it is very outdated in some respects. I really wish Dr. E. Fuller Torrey would update it. If you look it up on Amazon, you can look at some of the pages by clicking the book cover image "Look Inside". A nice aspect of this book is that it gives a history, some stats, good descriptions of the illness, some written descriptions from people who have it of what their episodes are like (incl. from Kay Redfield Jamison), risk factors, theories on causes, treatments, special issues (BP in children, addiction/abuse, med non-compliance, homelessness, arrests, suicide, sex issues, mania seduction). It also talks about BP and creativity, answers commonly asked questions (Should I tell people? Will I pass it on to children? How does it affect family members?). Issues for advocates are also included.

I never said rapid cycling has anything to do with personality. I hope you didn't
think I did. Is it the "mood lability" term that makes you think that? "Mood lability" is a term often used for Borderline PD, but it is also used for mood disorders, and doesn't imply that they are in the same axis. I have read that on occasion mood lability can confuse doctors as to whether it is Borderline Personality Disorder type or mood disorder type, but there are many other symptoms and criteria that should be able to clearly provide a differentiation between the two, though I know some people happen to have both.

I am a true believer in the bipolar spectrum. My psychiatrist has told me several times in the past, that people with bipolar disorder do not all have the same "flavor", and even within the same bipolar type. Our courses are all unique, the stories are far from being the same.