Our Volunteers
Our About Bipolar Disorder community is quite a neighborhood of activity. In order to better meet the needs of our thriving community, we actively recruit volunteers from our active members. These dedicated volunteer staffs compassionately provide support nearly around the clock. Thank you to all our volunteers, past and present!
Meet Jenn
Jenn has been an active member of the About.com Forums for Bipolar Disorder since October 2004. Because of her many years of dedicated membership, we asked her to consider being a host in March 2009. She shares, “I am 41 and I have bipolar I disorder. I was diagnosed in December of 2000 after a long manic episode. Since then I think I have been on every med there is out there.”
Jenn has been an active member of the About.com Forums for Bipolar Disorder since October 2004. Because of her many years of dedicated membership, we asked her to consider being a host in March 2009. She shares, “I am 41 and I have bipolar I disorder. I was diagnosed in December of 2000 after a long manic episode. Since then I think I have been on every med there is out there.”
Meet Ray
Ray has been an active member of the About.com Forums for Bipolar Disorder since February 2008. In March 2009, we asked Ray to consider becoming a Forum Host. He agreed and soon found his home in the "Get It Off Your Chest" folder where his open and honest approach to life makes him the perfect host for an area dedicated to venting.
Ray has been an active member of the About.com Forums for Bipolar Disorder since February 2008. In March 2009, we asked Ray to consider becoming a Forum Host. He agreed and soon found his home in the "Get It Off Your Chest" folder where his open and honest approach to life makes him the perfect host for an area dedicated to venting.
Meet Rabbit
Rabbit has been an active member of the About.com Forums for Bipolar Disorder since 2000. In March 2009, Rabbit agreed to serve as a Forum Host. Rabbit has had symptoms of bipolar II disorder since about 1971, has been on medication since 1988, and was in therapy for a total of 15 years.
Rabbit has been an active member of the About.com Forums for Bipolar Disorder since 2000. In March 2009, Rabbit agreed to serve as a Forum Host. Rabbit has had symptoms of bipolar II disorder since about 1971, has been on medication since 1988, and was in therapy for a total of 15 years.
Meet Skiinglab26
Skiinglab26 has been an active member of the About.com Forums for Bipolar Disorder since February 2003. She joined our community at age eighteen shortly after she was diagnosed. In March 2009, we asked Ski if she would consider taking on the role of Forum Host. Ski has made it a goal to help those in need with self-injury (SI), post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other bipolar disorder related issues.
Skiinglab26 has been an active member of the About.com Forums for Bipolar Disorder since February 2003. She joined our community at age eighteen shortly after she was diagnosed. In March 2009, we asked Ski if she would consider taking on the role of Forum Host. Ski has made it a goal to help those in need with self-injury (SI), post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other bipolar disorder related issues.
Meet Dianne
Dianne has been an active member of the About.com Forums for Bipolar Disorder since 2001. In November 2003, she eagerly accepted the role of Forum Host volunteering her free time to help provide support, encouragement and a safe nurturing environment for this community. During her nearly six years of volunteer work, she has been promoted to Senior Forum Host, a role now called Forum Moderator. Read through even a handful of posts and you will find Dianne's warm touch and sound advice.
Dianne has been an active member of the About.com Forums for Bipolar Disorder since 2001. In November 2003, she eagerly accepted the role of Forum Host volunteering her free time to help provide support, encouragement and a safe nurturing environment for this community. During her nearly six years of volunteer work, she has been promoted to Senior Forum Host, a role now called Forum Moderator. Read through even a handful of posts and you will find Dianne's warm touch and sound advice.
Erica - Volunteer Coordinator
Erica (EricaHOST) serves as the Volunteer Coordinator for this community. When Erica isn't chatting, she's working in the technology department of an investment bank drawing, pretending to write fiction, or shopping.
Erica (EricaHOST) serves as the Volunteer Coordinator for this community. When Erica isn't chatting, she's working in the technology department of an investment bank drawing, pretending to write fiction, or shopping.
Antman - Chat Host
Antman is a longtime member of the About Bipolar Disorder chat rooms and now is one of our volunteer chat hosts. Here he introduces himself with information about his diagnosis and plans.
Antman is a longtime member of the About Bipolar Disorder chat rooms and now is one of our volunteer chat hosts. Here he introduces himself with information about his diagnosis and plans.
Brian - Forum Host
Whatever Brian does, he does with intensity. While attaining his degree in Pharmacology, he has gone from Forum Community Leader at About Bipolar Disorder to Forum Medications Host. All this and manic-depressive, too!
Whatever Brian does, he does with intensity. While attaining his degree in Pharmacology, he has gone from Forum Community Leader at About Bipolar Disorder to Forum Medications Host. All this and manic-depressive, too!
CasselHost - Chat Host and Trainer
Cassel has been a chat assistant and is now a chat host and trainer. She tells about her experience with a husband who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and two children also diagnosed BP. After finding support and companionship in the About Bipolar Disorder chat rooms, she has volunteered to give back to the community.
Cassel has been a chat assistant and is now a chat host and trainer. She tells about her experience with a husband who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and two children also diagnosed BP. After finding support and companionship in the About Bipolar Disorder chat rooms, she has volunteered to give back to the community.
Ebeth - Forum Host
Forum Host Ebeth talks about her background and experiences with bipolar disorder from childhood depression through adult manic depression. She also discusses how the forum has been helpful to her and her feelings for the members of the About Bipolar Disorder community.
Forum Host Ebeth talks about her background and experiences with bipolar disorder from childhood depression through adult manic depression. She also discusses how the forum has been helpful to her and her feelings for the members of the About Bipolar Disorder community.
Dan - Guest Author
Dan, diagnosed at age 13, is a teenager actively involved in this online community. He is also a contributing author to the content of this site writing articles to help other teenagers who have bipolar disorder.
Dan, diagnosed at age 13, is a teenager actively involved in this online community. He is also a contributing author to the content of this site writing articles to help other teenagers who have bipolar disorder.
Jean - Forum Host
Jean is a dedicated volunteer. She serves as a Community Leader for the "Borderline" folder on the BP Complications Forum. Jean has four years of training in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and has developed skills to help prevent episodes of mania, depression, and psychosis. She writes, "I find using these skills minimizes my symptoms. My goal is to teach DBT skills to those interested."
Jean is a dedicated volunteer. She serves as a Community Leader for the "Borderline" folder on the BP Complications Forum. Jean has four years of training in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and has developed skills to help prevent episodes of mania, depression, and psychosis. She writes, "I find using these skills minimizes my symptoms. My goal is to teach DBT skills to those interested."
Jerod - Guest Author
Jerod Poore serves as a volunteer on this site as a Forum Host. He covers the folder of “News & Information, Please” and co-hosts “Medications.” Jerod has a lifetime of experience with bipolar disorder struggling with ultradian mood swings since he was 12. He is very open in sharing his difficulties and knowledge gained.
Jerod Poore serves as a volunteer on this site as a Forum Host. He covers the folder of “News & Information, Please” and co-hosts “Medications.” Jerod has a lifetime of experience with bipolar disorder struggling with ultradian mood swings since he was 12. He is very open in sharing his difficulties and knowledge gained.
Lily (TM) - Guest Author
Lily was smart enough to get medical help immediately when major depressive symptoms appeared. Now she is a regular contributor to About Bipolar Disorder.
Lily was smart enough to get medical help immediately when major depressive symptoms appeared. Now she is a regular contributor to About Bipolar Disorder.
Dan Littlefeather - Chat Host
Dan has been chatting with us since we opened the chat rooms back in 1999. He is now serving as a chat host moderating several sessions a week. Meet Dan in his own words and learn about his hosted chats' rewarding topics.
Dan has been chatting with us since we opened the chat rooms back in 1999. He is now serving as a chat host moderating several sessions a week. Meet Dan in his own words and learn about his hosted chats' rewarding topics.
Janus - Chat Host
Chat Host Janus describes her background and experience and shares why hosting in the About Bipolar Disorder chat rooms is important to her.
Chat Host Janus describes her background and experience and shares why hosting in the About Bipolar Disorder chat rooms is important to her.
Joy - Guest Author
Joy says, "I am 25 years old and enjoying my second year of teaching special ed resource in the inner city. I have been diagnosed bipolar for 5 years now, and love to share with others what I have learned along the way."
Joy says, "I am 25 years old and enjoying my second year of teaching special ed resource in the inner city. I have been diagnosed bipolar for 5 years now, and love to share with others what I have learned along the way."
Oak Giraffes - Guest Author
Oak Giraffes writes, "I'm Annie - The Tall Giraffe Among the Mighty Oaks. I'm a middle-aged gal with two wonderful teenage sons. My life in the bipolar world started out pretty dark and dreary. I struggled for years with major depressive episodes before getting my correct diagnosis. From that time forward, life made a bit more sense."
Oak Giraffes writes, "I'm Annie - The Tall Giraffe Among the Mighty Oaks. I'm a middle-aged gal with two wonderful teenage sons. My life in the bipolar world started out pretty dark and dreary. I struggled for years with major depressive episodes before getting my correct diagnosis. From that time forward, life made a bit more sense."
Peg - Chat and Forum Host
Peg is a chat and forum host for this community. She shares, “Bipolar Disorder runs in my family, so I was not too surprised when my doctor told me I had it. I was familiar with bipolar and children but needed more information for me, which is when I found the bipolar.about.com site. I have been a regular ever since.”
Peg is a chat and forum host for this community. She shares, “Bipolar Disorder runs in my family, so I was not too surprised when my doctor told me I had it. I was familiar with bipolar and children but needed more information for me, which is when I found the bipolar.about.com site. I have been a regular ever since.”
Snowy - Chat Host
SnowyHOST - also known as Snowflake - introduces herself to the About Bipolar Disorder community of chatters.
SnowyHOST - also known as Snowflake - introduces herself to the About Bipolar Disorder community of chatters.
Summer - Chat Host and Trainer
Summer has been an active member of this community since 2001 and serves as a host in our chat rooms. Summer brings a broad perspective to our community having personal experience with eating disorders, borderline personality disorder, anxiety, PTSD, and self-injury as well as bipolar disorder.
Summer has been an active member of this community since 2001 and serves as a host in our chat rooms. Summer brings a broad perspective to our community having personal experience with eating disorders, borderline personality disorder, anxiety, PTSD, and self-injury as well as bipolar disorder.
Tazzie - Chat Host
Tazzie hosts two weekly chats - Peer to Peer Support and BP and Parenting. Here she introduces herself to the community.
Tazzie hosts two weekly chats - Peer to Peer Support and BP and Parenting. Here she introduces herself to the community.
Weezer - Guest Author
Sonya / Weezer shares, “I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder when I was 22. It took quite awhile to come to the correct diagnosis, and boy was I shocked.”
Sonya / Weezer shares, “I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder when I was 22. It took quite awhile to come to the correct diagnosis, and boy was I shocked.”
Full List of Volunteers
We have an incredible group of people who volunteer their time and knowledge to provide support and encouragement for members. They work in the forums and the chat rooms and some contribute articles. Found here is the full list of these volunteers including those who have yet to write a biosketch.
We have an incredible group of people who volunteer their time and knowledge to provide support and encouragement for members. They work in the forums and the chat rooms and some contribute articles. Found here is the full list of these volunteers including those who have yet to write a biosketch.