First episode 10 yrs ago. 1 1/2 yrs to suicide attempt. 9 years of 'surviving' up/down/meds/no meds - now 2nd major episode. Oct 05 sleep disturbances, Jan back on meds, try several, breakdown by summer, now its january - not much better. Trouble working, trouble thinking - all the usuals. I read of episodes that last a month - those are a piece of cake - whats up with this year long -prolonged periods?