Back in '99, there was a frenzy over the millennium, and my bipolar was diagnosed. I'm BP1 (rapid cycling, with psychotic features and schizoaffective functions--a mouthful, no?), and in the past 4+ years I've gained insight through repeated hospitalizations, feeling all my feelings, and searching for all the information I could find in the quest to get to know myself. I'm learning to predict my own feelings, and as an added bonus, I'm learning to understand them. Anything I've found out, I'm sharing, so we can all know.
Finishing college has been an obstacle for me, but I'm still at it, and along the way I've logged in a lot of hours of life experience (it's hard to believe what one can learn when one is begrudgingly wrong, lost in a rectangular state, and still getting comfortable with one's lithium). Attending college and working have been difficult for me--a doctor says it something about not putting strain on a weak part of myself--that being my brain. Each day I scratch my head about that one, and I also write furiously, and try to be of assistance to the Under 30 crowd on the main forum. After all, we're all just beginning, so we can begin together.
I have a pet parrot named Thelma who is my greatest confidante. On the odd occasion that someone insists she's imaginary, Thelma will from that point on discuss medications and treatment options with those who choose not to acknowledge her. Acknowledgement is the key to many things, including being bipolar. Learn your red flags! Learn how to cry! Learn about the other side, where being bipolar is a gift bestowed upon royalty! Acknowledge yourself, and find friends on our forums. You may, like me, find that you've never belonged like you belong here.
More Community Resources
Log onto Bipolar Disorder Main Forum
Chat Login Page
Chat Schedule
Complete Listing of Volunteer Staff
