Well AG, first of all I always let the important ppl in my life know exactly where I'm at, even if it's embarrassing or deeply personal. There are a couple I trust implicately. I prepare myelf at work by getting ahead with my manic energy in case I need a mental health day off. I think of movies I might want to have around when I'm home and alone and need a reprieve from reality. I keep some comfort food in the house for when I'm needing a little treat to make myself feel better. Chocolate is always good. But I also have a potato fettish. Oh, and ice cream, Ben & Jerry's makes Chunky Monkey. My fav. If I'm so far gone that I can't even get out of the house to walk my dog, I have my neighbor take him for me, so I give him the heads up. I make sure I have everything I need at my apt. Tissues, my favorite lounge clothes clean and ready, cigarettes stocked up, my meds if need be, oh, and I alert my counselor in the program I'm involved in because I have a tendancy to completely isolate to a point that's very unhealthy...so my important ppl will reach out to me when I can't do it for myself. I also make sure my apt. is clean and tidy because clutter makes me worse. I clean the litter box in case it's a few days before I can do it. It's just all about the little things in my life that make a huge difference. Like if my cat was suffering because I needed a snow plow to clean it when the dark cloud lifted, I would feel unnecessary guilt and shame. It would be different for everyone based on your lifestyle and your depression. And while each experience has it's unique qualities that I can't anticpipate, some certainties I can. I've learned to use my manic energy in the constructive ways to keep my life on track as much as I can possibly do within my control. I always keep the attitude that I'm not a victim of my illness. In fact, I've shared with a good friend of mine how I kind of think of it as a dance. I flirt with the mania, we do a little dance that is exciting and fun, but at the appropriate time I bow out and tell it I've had a lovely time and I'll see you again before too long. It comes down to choices AG.

I hope this helps.
TgrsPurr.