BirdDancer thank you for your response/story. We have similar stories in that I was manic for most of my life and finally accepted a diagnosis of Bipolar I in my mid 30’s. My episodes are no longer euphoric now, I too suffer from the kindling effect and have awful mixed episodes swings with mania and anxiety through the roof.

That is why this one has knocked me down so much. I was doing well at home, work and in life. I had come to terms with the side effects and had decided to just exercise and be healthy at the weight I can be. If you do ALL the right things, take ALL the right drugs, got to ALL the therapy sessions you should have more to life than just surviving or being “normal” for lack of a better word.

I don’t even have a question just venting....