You did capture the cycling really well allme. It gets so tiring doesn't it. So much time given over to resisting or managing or regrouping. Fighting urges, fighting temptations, fighting yourself. So little time just living.

Many have found that magic combination of meds and cognitive strategies to help reduce the extremes but the battle still goes on to one degree or another. I have my good days but seldom do I have a day that is level from start to finish. I may be able to get a grip early into a flip but it takes a lot of energy out of me everytime.

Thanks for sharing so others can better understand what it means to live with bipolar. It just somehow makes it easier to know you are not alone and that others get it. I get so tired trying to explain my behaviours and apologize for being so difficult. It has caused me to pretty much live in isolation and faking it when forced to engage with people in real life. I am sick of being told to either 'cheer up' or 'settle down'.

Okay.... sorry.... this isn't about me. Forgot. lol!!