Thanks so much Grizmom, Ascension, Feelingsad and RRU96,

I am indeed trying to stay strong although it IS definitely TOUGH!!

I've decided I'm going to send my g/friend an email response in a reply to her email last week and just let her know I'm here if she wants support / to talk etc.

Hoping she doesn't see this as 'pressure'???

It's always enlightening to hear from someone with BP. Tell me, if you 'break up' or decide you 'want a break' with your partner whilst going through an 'episode'. What happens when you come out of this episode? Do you understand why you then made this decision and wonder what happened to your relationship?

And how long can these 'episodes' last - do they depend on treatment?

thanks so much, this all helps, Don.