One thing that really stuck with me from "obedience school" (hehe...) was what one doc said to me....after I told him, flat-out that I'd hidden symptoms for years because I just couldn't accept I was BPII.

We discussed how, intellectually, I understood it all...emotionally, I couldn't grasp it. He explained it as: You have to know how to figure out which is the bipolar and which is you. You have to outsmart yourself. Most bipolar patients are incredibly bright - my brightest - and you must learn to outsmart your illness. " It kind of stuck with me like a little challenge....

My friends/family always remind me that I pull through the low times, and eventually I start to believe them when they're right every time. I'm so lucky for the support - perhaps you have someone in your life who can cite very bad lows that you made it through?

It helps when someone reminds me of a certain time....that was a dark, dark place...and it changed. It always will change with bipolar....you just have to keep yourself safe until the winds change. I know you have to watch kiddies right now, but please just do one thing for yourself....I don't know where you're at in the low, but sometimes a shower is a big chore for me =P Mom always pushes me to get into the shower...even when I whine over the phone about it...she says, "I promise, it will make you feel just a little bit better". And it does. Just remember you get through these times. xoxo

Hope that helps in some, small way. Hugs.

(I'm sorry I use personal experiences to relate...it just really helped me).