Stress is what throws me into an episode more often than not. When I'm under stress I have to be watchful. My doctor asked me "if what's happening with your son were fixed, would you be depressed right now" and I could honestly answer "yes" we both agreed I was not clinically depressed but he's worried I'm heading there and so am I. My sleep has began to be effected....my appetite.....I feel like I'm constantly crawling out of my skin....my limbs feel like they are encased in cement and walking/moving is very labored and much more difficult than normal. I'm getting obsessive thoughts and compulsive ideas. My self care is slipping but I'm still able to pull most stuff off. It's getting more and more difficult by the day though. Once I lose functioning, it's obvious something more than "life" is to blame. I may need to start my anti-depressant soon. Once I start to freeze and he incapable of moving forward to help my situation, I consider it bipolar related and ask for help. I think each person with bipolar has their own triggers and cues to watch for. Learning what those are is imperative to learning to live with this illness.