Though depression is not required for diagnosis most people have both manic and depressive episodes and may have mixed episodes with features of both. Length of episodes vary, but are separated by "normal" periods of emotion and behavior. See my answers to similar questions for additional details.
38 year experience in Psychiatry
How long it usually lasts:
How common it is:
A 44-year old asked:
3 doctor answers • 11 doctors weighed in
A 39-year old asked:
3 doctor answers • 10 doctors weighed in
A 30-year old asked:
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
A 33-year old asked:
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 40-year old asked:
2 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
A 44-year old asked:
2 doctor answers • 7 doctors weighed in
A 41-year old asked:
3 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
A 31-year old asked:
2 doctor answers • 10 doctors weighed in
A 43-year old asked:
2 doctor answers • 8 doctors weighed in
A 42-year old asked:
2 doctor answers • 7 doctors weighed in
A member asked:
3 doctor answers • 9 doctors weighed in
A 40-year old asked:
3 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
A 29-year old asked:
3 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
A 74-year old female asked:
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
A 74-year old female asked:
4 doctor answers • 11 doctors weighed in
A 31-year old asked:
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 49-year old male asked:
2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
A 23-year old male asked:
3 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
A 46-year old asked:
3 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
A 22-year old female asked:
2 doctor answers • 7 doctors weighed in
A 43-year old asked:
2 doctor answers • 7 doctors weighed in
A 33-year old asked:
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
A 20-year old female asked:
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
A 49-year old male asked:
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
A 31-year old asked:
1 doctor answer • 5 doctors weighed in
A 35-year old asked:
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 24-year old female asked:
2 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
A 29-year old female asked:
2 doctor answers • 10 doctors weighed in
A 22-year old male asked about a 32-year old female:
3 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
A 50-year old asked:
1 doctor answer • 4 doctors weighed in