Hi, Halliebeth!

I've been feeling superbad of late. It always sneaks up on me, but I always seem to have the most trouble around the spring and fall equinoxes. Also stress from school (I had to drop a class and have had to punt a couple of assignments because my mind simply isn't functioning right).

I had a pdoc once who said there was research that indicated that it was caused by the rate of change of the length of the day, which is greatest at the spring and fall equinoxes. I don't know about that, but I do know that I have my worst episodes then.

Stress is of course the greatest trigger. So thinking about your trouble is "just stress" is true on one level, it's just the trigger for an episode. I went to an outpatient program a while back that really worked on stress management though DBT techiques. I call it the Costanza School of therapy... do you remember the Seinfeld episode where George decides the key to happiness is to do the exact opposite of his normal behavior? That's what I try to do, actually. If I find myself walking along hunched over, head down kind of shuffling along, I stand up straight, chin up, eyes straight ahead, a smile on my face and act like I have to be somewhere soon. In other words, act like you feel good, almost immediately you'll start feeling a little better. If you're feeling really isolated and lonely, find someone to talk to, even a clerk in a store. In other words, do the exact opposite of what your bipolar is telling you to do. It's not a cure, but it will provide some relief to the crushing despair, honest!

OK, I'm through fixing now, really...just know that we're with you and we care about you!