Hey Duff,

I just stumbled on your podcast as I’ve been seeking to improve my mental health. My partner of the last 15 months left me this last week due to me not pursuing her enough over the last 5 months. We are on good terms, though the future of our relationship is in the air due to how fresh this all is. I have been on a downward spiral of depression as I was very close to her, her 4-year old daughter, and her family. Not having them in my life would crush me even more. Am I crazy for wanting to pursue her again after some time? How can I deal with this and make sure I don’t make those mistakes again?

Question 2:

Hey Duff! Last fall, I started college for engineering but was hospitalized by police about a week and a half in. Turns out I’m bipolar 1 with psychotic features—oh well. I’ve spent the past year working at a boba shop, interning at an animal sanctuary, and getting stable. Suddenly it’s spring, and college decision time has caught me off-guard for the second time. With scholarships/financial aid in mind, my two best bets are a school close to home and the school that I attempted to attend this year. My mom believes that if I don’t return to the original school, I won’t be building the resiliency that I should from this experience, but I am a little nervous about returning, especially considering the erratic behavior I exhibited while manic. Is she right? Any advice for getting up the courage to go back to college in general? Happy Spring!