I am diagnosed with schizoaffective bipolar type (2), and I've noticed that ever since late 2020 the bipolar cycles have been shifting quite a bit. It started out as depressive episodes for 6 years, then up-and-down like clockwork for nearly five years (weeks-long episodes); but since 2021 it's been 2+ months-long periods of hypo, followed by shorter 'balanced' periods (3 weeks or so), and then very short depressive spurts in-between. Usually the depression starts off as a mixed episode for a few days, and ends with 1-2 days of severe depression, before I start to come back up again. I'm wondering if anyone else has similar experiences with changing cycles. I also have Hashimoto's disease (a thyroid disease) which I've heard can mimic bipolar disorder, and I'm starting to question whether or not I actually have a bipolar issue at all, or if it's just Hashimoto's. I've had quite a few of the hallmarks of bipolar 2 during the 'high' points; little-to-no need for sleep, not sleeping for days at a time, spending all my money in short periods &amp; ending up broke, euphoric feelings, inflated confidence, restlessness/agitation, can't stop moving/talking/laughing/etc., hyper-productivity/creativity, hypersexuality, etc... The schizophrenic component is undeniable, but I suppose that's not relevant to this question (or this subreddit, for that matter). those symptoms happen regardless of mood.

TLDR: changing cycles, questioning whether or not I have bipolar disorder