I've been successfully managing a bipolar disorder for over ten years - and unsuccessfully for years prior to that. In my _personal_ experience, manic phases l

I've been successfully managing a bipolar disorder for over ten years - and unsuccessfully for years prior to that. In my _personal_ experience, manic phases last 2 weeks to 2 months, followed by 4-10 months of catatonia. It is approximately the same for my aunt and grandmother. In their cases, lithium and electroconvulsive therapy were the only things that work. For me, lamotrigine and modafinil are life-changing wonder drugs. That said, people in my group therapy reported cycles as short as days to weeks - rapid cycling, as you say.