For me there has been non stop situations for about 8 yrs. I manage & manage & manage until something blows and it's either going to fall on the depression side or the hypo/mania side of this dark steep slope. Sometimes I'm surprised when "bad" stress sends me into wheee hypo.

I don't decide I'm in an episode until it's been at least a few weeks cuz I'm always hoping I'll snap out of it or I'm having such a busy talky time I don't notice. I hide a lot of the inappropriate & risky hypo behaviors but I mostly know when I'm in it.... Then the crash into depression & mixed sends me crying back to pdoc.

I've only had this dx a few years, but I'm starting to catch on & accept my pattern. I guess the risky one for me is to somehow not fall in love with the hypo for too long because the pattern of the inevitable (for me) crash after is so sad & torturous. Idk still figuring it out.