When I was younger I had more clearly defined episodes of depression and hypomania. The year I was 48 my disorder changed. Depressive episodes seem to fall away. Hypomania turned to full-on mania. What I call "dysphoric mania" hit me hard...monumental anxiety, irritability/anger/rage. At the same time, euphoric manias were far more common.

In my mid-fifties (I'm 57) mixed states seem to become common for me. But the mixed states are more of a dysphoric mania/mild depression/euphoric mania.

Very fortunately, I am now on medications and in therapy and (for the first time in my entire life) they are keeping me decently stable. Some days are more stable than others, but overall I'm pretty much in the middle. The stability began in, I think, February.

btw, I am convinced that bipolar disorder is some type of seizure activity. I feel that very strongly when I'm hit with an episode.