i am 73 yr. bp2 female married; i can relate completely to all the current posts about how certain people can destabilize me. i do not have depression on my spectrum; only hypomania and i can handle certain personalities (chatty, non-stop-talking women) only briefly; i've got a few 30-40 yr. friendships with women who live in the former citifies where i've lived so phone calls and texting infrequently are satisfying enough for me; my socialization primarily is through the health club across the street from our condo where i work out 5 days a week and hubby golfs about 3x/week; i can handle the 2 hr. socialization (gym talk) at the club with women i've gotten to know who are there at same time, but once i leave the club, i prefer and need the quiet time alone if hubby is golfing, or being on computer or listening to podcasts. the days of non-stop socializing or having lunch with 3-4 girlfriends are long over; i prefer meeting a girlfriend for late lunch or early dinner and this may sound like a boring life to some, but it works for my stability and serenity. talking to men usually is easy; it's the women who talk incessantly who are a big trigger for me. this is the world i have created and it works for me. women are complicated! and i no longer wish to put myself in their drama or toxicity so my friendships are very limited. it may also come with age and lifestyle created...what works for me may not work for you...