recurring episodes cause brain damage. It is crucial to notice your early signs of an episode and to treat it with medication and therapy (or just medication if you can’t access therapy) and not wait until the damage is done. I myself had a relapse this semester but stubbornly stood my ground and made a B on an exam because of it, it could have been worse! Now I know my indicators of an episode much better (referring to myself as Bjorn the Mad is not okay…when you aren’t Scandinavian).