Rapunzel,
I can tell you that for 3 years I have been looking for my triggers and found them....anxiety, stress, change of routine is the big one. I share custody of my 3 year old and the weekend when her Dad has her is very hard on me..and this happens every other week. When I am taking care of her my life is very scheduled...that is the only way I can keep my brain from spiralling out of control with a string of thoughts miles long. I have 2 daughters in college and I try not to worry about them, but money is always a worry and I worry about their happiness, too. I recently drove 12 hours with my 3 year old to see my dad and spent 5 days with him. I was so anxious about the trip that i had panic attacks and nightmares, couldn't sleep...felt things begining to race. The trip went okay but was stressful. I increased my meds but I still felt bad. My family, however, thought I was great...all calm and serene, although I was anything but inside. The meds just make it look like that. I had tremendous fatigue on the trip and tried to sleep when I felt like it...that helped me get through. even now that I am back i have increased fatigue, easy crying, anxiety, irritability. And this is all on meds. I envy those who are "normal" on meds because I have taken them for 4 years and have yet to feel "normal" I mostly feel like I just manage to get through the day...but I have bipolar 2 with mostly depression...it sneaks up on me and by the content of my post, I would say it is sneaking up again.
Relax. I was very emotional when my daughter went to college too and I'm not bipolar. I was scared to let her out of my sight. We are very close and she's a very innocent girl. I was imagining so many awful things, I was giving myself panic attacks as well. She's in her second year now and she's doing great. I miss her but I don't worry about her so much. Last year, she proved to be responsible enough to live on her own and keep up with her studies.
It's so tough when your baby leaves the nest. Journal and chart your mood swings but if you feel like crying, don't worry about it. This is a tough time for every parent. If the Seroquel is helping you, that is good. Get some exercise and eat well. You should be fine.
Take care.