Can you keep in touch through email? When i'm low the hardest people to be around are the people who are the most important, but I can usually write to them even when I'm down.

The simplest way I understand/think about bipolar is that it is a very rare chemical imbalance in our brains causing us to have such extreme moods that we are overwhelmed. Think about the worst you've ever felt and the best you've ever felt and multiply it until it's so extreme you can't get out of bed or fall sleep or go to work.

As far as I know we are pretty much born this way and it seems to be slightly genetic. My great-grandfather was bipolar, other people in my family have serious depression and anxiety problems but as far as I know I'm the only other one who is bipolar.

Even when we are on medication we can still have ups and downs. The tide goes in and out. There are times when your mother might have an easier time communicating. I would look for ways of less directly communicating. If something wonderful is happening in your life send her a little message news update about it and how happy you are. Even if she doesn't respond I can't imagine that wherever/however she is she wouldn't like to know that you are doing good.