Despite my best efforts I still am having episodes, even though I've gotten better at managing symptoms and can get back to baseline faster. Sometimes it seems that even though I'm doing everything "right" (taking meds, therapy, getting 9 hrs of sleep, limiting work stress, eating healthy, regular exercise, no alcohol/drugs, daily mood charting, social outreach) I still have episodes-- more depression than mania these days-- sometimes inexplicably. It's annoying and gets in the way of things. 

Is this just the reality of living with bipolar? Chronic cycling broken up with some periods of remission, and a constant need to micromanage everything in your lifestyle/physiology to lessen the frequency and intensity of episodes?

Sounds exhausting. 

&amp;#x200B;

&amp;#x200B;

\-24 y/o female, bipolar 1/rapid cycling, diagnosed in 2018