This was such a great story. I could barely step away from it in order to sleep lol :)

As someone who also suffers from mental illness “I just wanted to stop feeling so miserable” hit real hard. I hope you’re doing well 3

This was amazing. Thank you so much for this piece. One of the best fanfics out there, no doubt.

After your author's note, I wanted to point something out.
You are doing an EXCELLENT job at portraying relationships between a mentally ill character and their family, absolutely spot-on. More often than not, the media shows a few select stereotypessupportive, unsupportive, and intolerantwhen there are actually many degrees of each. People often believe that being supportive means acting like Sam has, but what he's doing can be incredibly damaging, both to the person and the relationship. You have to find a balance between being supportive and letting the other person breathe or you'll actually become part of the problem...as you have clearly recognized.
Several years ago, something happened which nearly killed me and I was diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. I ended up pulling away from several important people in my life because their treatment of me made it worse...and most were Sam types. I've got it MOSTLY controlled by now, but it's an ongoing struggle. To this day, my husband still goes "Dean" anytime one of my triggers pops upbecause obviously I'm going to flip out at the drop of a hat despite having learned to control my panicand my mother pulls a "Sam" every time I see her even when I'm doing well. And Heaven forbid I actually experience a relapse...even a single SMALL panic attack is enough to convince people I'm about to crack up.
Sometimes people just can't comprehend that a person who struggles will only struggle more when treated like a china doll or a bomb about to go off. I'm sorry to hear you have been experiencing this sort of treatment from your family...I hope, if it hasn't improved by now, that it will improve soon. You deserve better, and your emotions are valid regardless of your diagnosisBipolar doesn't CAUSE emotions even though it affects them, and discounting a person's emotions can be very detrimental to their well-being.
If you ever want to talk or if you could use a pick-me-up, you feel free to hit me up by PM...I'd be delighted to chat with you.

beautiful.

Such an awesome chspter! Wait...is it done? NO! It was beautifully written great job!

Great chapter! Excellent work! Can't wait for the next!

This was funny and sweet, great job!

Talk about worst timing in deed. Great chapter BTW. These chapters are my highlights. Can't wait to see what happens next. Also I'm glad Alex is doing better. I hope she doesn't have another episode. That would kill me.

Eeeek, Cas, what are you doing? Is this how angels court?

Ooooh. That was getting interesting. Great job!

This is exciting! Their relationship is evolving! Also I'm glad Alex is doing better, and that Dean is a whole lot nicer :)

I was almost needing a glass of water! Good job!

Good ol' Dean! Great chapter!

Dawww, glad to see Alex doing better!