Coping with plenty of leisure activities and sense of purpose in life
by Grant in Pennsylvania
I feel that I do my best. Sometimes I feel hopeless. That's the bipolar in my brain talking. Never pay attention!
A thinker, philosopher and reader
by Elvia in Texas
In 1996, at the age of 22, I was hospitalized for the first time after severe sleep deprivation during my senior year in college. I was diagnosed bipolar but it was unclear whether that was accurate and if so, what did that mean for me in my life.
Recovery brings confidence, joy and peace
by Cheryl in Virginia
As a Child, I was sexually abused and had an alcoholic parent. I was an anxious child and as I grew up I had many depressed and manic episodes throughout my life.
Family and support groups help mother with life long battle with Bi-polar
by Deb in Pennsylvania
Mental illness has affected my life in more ways than one, because I have not been able to hold a full-time job since 2003. Because I have some very severe mood swings, and I can't handle stress because it sets my anxiety off. I really wanted to go back to work; therefore, I decided to try it and I was there one day had an anxiety attack. I had to quit.
Drumming his way to good mental health
by Marc in Wisconsin
Hello, my name is Marc and this is my bi-polar adventure. I was diagnosed bi-polar back in 1998 or 1999 after a severe manic episode. During this episode I attacked my father, put cereal boxes in our driveway, and had enough energy to just go and go...I've never felt more free. It was like when you're a little kid and you do something and you forget about it and move on to the next thing.
Encourages others to seek help when young
by Laura in Florida
I knew that I had something wrong with me early, around 12 or 13. Being one of five girls, my parents really did not notice the different things I did, and I was not going to tell them. I was too embarrassed.
Tired of the mental illness label detracting from the person
by Susie in Wyoming
I was born and raised in Southern Illinois, right outside of St. Louis. I really can't tell you when I first noticed my depression/Bi-polar illness. But from high school, which was 1972 and on, I have abused alcohol and drugs and overdosed several times which required hospitalization.
Design ur Life Makeovers
by Life Ministries in Wisconsin
My whole life I have been on some sort of medication. At the age of 14, I was told I was a manic depressive. The medicine my parents and doctor put me on turned my life upside down. I started drinking, having sex and then running away. I was 13 and just moved from Great Lakes, Il to Camp Lejeune, NC. My dad was in the Navy.
Thriving with a Second Chance
by April in Georgia
My Bipolar disorder has been the dictator and ruler of my entire life up until about three years ago. As a child, it destroyed my self-esteem, isolated me, confused me and eventually, consumed me. As a teenager, the black cloud seemed to get thicker; however, the common misconception was she's a teenager.
Bipolarann -- An ongoing story of managing bipolar disorder
by Ann in Kentcky
My story is ongoing. I am in progress of healing. I have had bipolar symptoms since I was a young girl although the doctors did not know what could possibly be wrong. Through high school things worsened, beginning first with depression for a couple years and then a year and a half of mania and hypomania in which I abused alcohol and prescription medication to bring myself down.