John, I'm glad the support group seemed to help you. I know how scary it is to feel oneself slipping into "yet another depression," wondering what course it will take. If you made it through the last depressive episode, you can make it through this one too!

P.S. Just remember, with bipolar, it's just an episode, i.e., it will end at some point and hopefully you will return to baseline sooner rather than later.