Between 14 and 33 years old I had about 4 significant pure depressions, 4 full-blown manias, and 2 to 3 severe mixed states. However, in between those episodes I was mostly in prolonged elated or irritable hypomanias. Prolonged hypomanias have been a characteristic of my bipolar disorder type 1 despite reaching full blown manias, at times. The hypomanias did not even necessarily make it to full-blown before calming a bit.

Between age 33 and 40, I had very long-term severe mixed states, many with psychosis. I had experienced some psychosis during the severe episodes of my youth, but not nearly as many and as severe. I was basically in and out of the psych hospital between 34 and 38 years old. Almost hospitalized a few times up until just after 40. After 40, I again went into long-term hypomanic states, that didn't really become full-blown. It got to the point where my psychiatrist said that "hypomania" was my "baseline mood".

I'm 50 now. I'd say that for the last few years my "baseline" has actually been more normal than "hypomanic". I have not had any severe episodes for this period. I'm not sure what my future brings.

Have you been more often depressed or hypomanic/manic? And how much of your life, approximately, would you say you've been "baseline/stable"?