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I am 39 years old, married with 2 small children. I am a stay-at-home mom. I met my husband in a manic phase that worked out. Before I married I worked in fast food and retail, never keeping a job longer than about six months before quitting. I know now that is part of the bipolar.

For over 20 years I struggled with depression (or so I thought). During that time I did all the antidepressants they threw at me, and when they didn't work, I self-medicated with whatever I could find. Now I am happy to say I am clean and sober for 9 years. Then in the summer of 2003 I found a therapist who was bright and said, "You have bipolar" - and a light came on.

I then did a search on the internet and found About.com and found my home - and have been here ever since. I now host two chats: one on Thursdays, "Peer to Peer Support," and one on Saturdays, "BP and Parenting."

At this time I see a pdoc once a month and my tdoc once a month as well. I feel I am as stable as we bipolars get - which means that until my meds need to be changed again, I am doing ok.