You are exactly correct WC. BioChe, first, he DSM is far from HARD science or a complete explanation of complex problems. Next, mental illness in general is still poorly understsndstood. I've asked 4 doctors to date if stress can cause episodes or if it means I have a personality disorder. They have all indicated stress can and I show no signs of a PD. all of my severe episodes have come shortly after major stress. I assumed I had nervous breakdowns but no. There are indeed triggers for some with BP. I know it seems more "legit" if it comes out of nowhere. I can get through stress and then have an episode soon after. I wish I had a life where I could say "it came out of nowhere" ....it's a nice gig if you can get it. I've seen well meaning people incorrectly tell posters here "that behavior is not BP RELATED". What they should instead say is "that is not part of my own personal BP" because believe it or not, we have personal individual things that happen to us when in an episode.

The reason I'm so concerned with people not accepting BP has triggers is because it can have serious consequences. I once saw a post (maybe here) which read "I don't have BP, I have a bad life and there is no cure for that". When a healthy person goes through stress, the body produces extra energy and whatnot to help the person endure and get out of the stress. When omeone is unwell, they can be completely incapable of getting out of the situation and it all just snowballs. That is why a loss of functioning is a good yard stick to measure what's happening to us (when we are well enough to even see it)

Music can trigger me, lack of sleep, stress, alcohol, etc.