Mania cycles?

How long do mania cycles or depression cycles last before the person effected with bipolar goes back to being their "normal" self?

(I would imagine it varies from person to person, but any ideas?)

This would be helpful from a poster who has bipolar...but others can answer. Thanks.

bluefooeyes,

It depends on what type of bipolar you have. BP 1, the "basic" form had periods of normality of varying lengths followed by mania or depression.

Other forms follow a different course. According to one T I am mixed state, according to another I am ultra ultra rapid cyclying. This means I am almost always not "normal" mood wise.

There is a ton of literature on the web that explain all of this much better than I can.

Regards,
Walt

Anywhere from an hour to a month to a year.

Sorry, there is no real answer.

sincefour wrote: ...I am mixed state, according to another I am ultra ultra rapid cyclying. This means I am almost always not "normal" mood wise...
Regards,
Walt

I fall under this category. I seem to always fall on either side of normal, but don't land right on it anymore.

I also think the course of "my illness" has changed. I think the cycles have changed over the years. Has anyone else experienced this? - not to get off topic.

Adna,

Yes, my cycles have changed. From age 14 through about 30 I was rapid cycling but generally biased more towards mania. I had enough depressive feelings that I didn't pass as unipolar manic.

In my 30's I was more in the middle and now in my mid/late 40's I tend to show up as depressive more often then manic.

I also have a dose of SAD, and migraines (most severe from 20 - 36).

Hope that helps,
W