Not really sure where to start this off, but let's give it a go. I'm not having a problem, just curious. And sorry, I may give an excess of information, but just want to give the whole story.

I've been dating a girl for about a year now. Everything is great, except that I'm living in Japan and she is back at home. We talk twice a day, and I would say that the distance has not really put any stress (other than not being with eachother) on our relationship. I saw her over the winter holidays, and will see her this summer when I go home, and will be back home for good in August 2008.

Back to business - she was diagnosed several years ago as having schizoaffective bipolar-(I think) disorder, before I really knew her. She had some episodes (2 maybe) either during or right after high school (she is 20 now, I'm 24). I've known her family for several years. Her aunt is a psychologist at our university and her mom works for a small mental health group.

She is very open with me about her condition and history. She was put in the psych ward at a local hospital for about 2 weeks following one of her episodes. Around this time she and her mom were on bad terms, and she was living with her grandmother. Now, for the past, about, 2 or 3 years, she gets along just fine with her mom.

She has taken a few different medications, but has been taking Seroquel since we've been together. She takes 200mg at night to help her sleep, otherwise she doesn't feel rested in the morning. She has never exhibited any strange behaviors around me, except after having too much rum one night, and handles other things much better than me, which I won't go into unless anyone feels it important to do so.

Another situation I helped her through was the death of a very close cousin. She seemed to handle it as anyone else would. She wasn't depressive, nor did she act like nothing had happened. She was sad, cried, talked about it with me and her family, and came through it well.

I guess all this is leading up to this - what do you guys think? I plan to stay with her through whatever, but in my opinion she seems fine. I know there is a problem somewhere, or has been, but for someone with that disorder, is it normal to go a year, perhaps longer, without exhibiting serious symptoms. If so, would this suggest a good prognosis? Guess I'm just digging for any ideas or comments.

Thanks, and sorry so long.