[ClayTheScribe]

Mental illness can definitely have seasonal triggers, especially if something traumatic or troublesome happened at any of those times in the past. I have major depression and it usually gets worse when autumn comes, around this time of year in the northern hemisphere, and also when summer starts. The best thing you can do is to be there for him, while not neglecting yourself, and to make sure he's on some type of medication. You may need to tweek the meds for the certain times when depression/mania is worse. Encourage him to exercise more during those tough times if he can, that's perhaps the best way of pushing mental illness more into the background. In fact, exercise with him, it'll be good for you both. The therapeutic dose recommended is 30 minutes of sustained cardiovascular exercise. If he doesn't already have a therapist, he should get one. And you might find one for yourself so you can better cope. Also, make sure he's getting enough vitamin D and/or sunlight, especially when it gets darker outside. Make sure he doesn't retreat into himself at any of these darker times and pull him out if he does.