I've only been hospitalized once, but looking back I cycle with the seasons. As the days start getting long and warmer, I cycle up into what hopefully does not end in a full blown manic episode. Then as the days get shorter and colding I start to cycle down into what hopefully does not end in a full blown depresssive episode. I no longer take medication, over one year med free, and the pattern has stayed the same as when I was unmedicated (pre-hospitalization), and when I was medicated (post-hospitalization).

I'm still on the up side at the moment, attempting to keep my mood high, but not too high, to avoid the devasting depression that I know might come along with the results of my pending Feb 25 preliminary hearing for the DUI charges against me. The last time I had a major depressive epsisode what last jan-feb. It got perty bad (like close to ending it all bad), so I hope I dont go to that dark place again.

Wish me luck!