No doctor, therapist, hospital, or medication ever helped me at all, although I suffered their treatments for over 40 years and spent several hundred thousand dollars on them. The stigma is more harmful than the illness. The medicines have left my body permanently damaged, but fortunately not too severely. Many years ago I decided to take charge of my own life, to take responsibility for my own actions and feelings, no matter what they might be. No one around me now would ever suspect that I had ever been regarded as "crazy".

I have been diagnosed with bipolar since i was 11 I have tried several times to kill myself. In and out of hospitals. The thing that I struggle with is there are no doctors and I'm not sure if I'm even taking the right medication and I always have a hard time getting my meds because of the lack of doctors here get angry when people say it's all in your head get over it. It is an unbalance in your brain at least that's my understanding. I have been in counseling, treatment. I have done everything that I can think of and look at me today still the same just learning to cope with it.

I experience episodes of anger, however triggered by memories of betrayal. Usually nothing at the moment. I ruminate a lot. I am working on this area of my mind. I find myself happy for no apparent reason most of the time. I enjoy working, raising my kiddo, and being in love. My decision is that bipolar can be managed and emotions can be controlled, starting with my mind. I have never contemplated violence toward myself or anybody. Bi-polar is over diagnosed and people use this term to escape the truth. Just because a person is belligerent, violent, or explosive doesn't mean they are bipolar. They may be oppositional or anti-social. See life for what it really may be. Sometimes we have to deal with our own limitations. Always seek wisdom, God, and professional help. Thanks.

I'm bipolar, mixed states. It started in my teens, my best friend and I often talked about death, I had severe depression. My mom had told me she was schizophrenic when I was young, she horribly abused me and my brothers. Fortunately, it had the effect of making me desire to never ever abuse my own kids. Memories of being tied to a chair so I'd eat, lying on a bed with blood pouring down my throat from being slapped, finding my mother (I was 8) after a suicide attempt. I never abused my kids, though I had horrible rages which I took out on things I didn't care about. I abused cocaine 12 years, then went on antidepressants. Currently untreated due to neuroleptic malignant syndrome 7 years ago.

I get very high moods, and set multiple high goals, and have optimistic hopes, don't sleep so much because I feel so high being awake most of the night. Then I start declining into a disabling depression after a period of a couple of months maybe. I lose my energy, lose interest in things, lose hope, get irritable, lay around, and don't feel like doing anything.

I am 16 turning 17 in April this year. Last year I was told I have bipolar depression. My mom thinks I should just take my pills and get over it. The last few days have been so bad that I don't want to leave bed. I have been crying my eyes out. My family has been pushing me. They don't understand me. No one does. I put on a smile just to pretend I'm okay when I'm actually not. I hate my life. So many times I have thought of suicide, but then what does it bring me? Absolutely nothing. I'm sick and tired of everything. It doesn't even feel like my medications are working for me.

I am bipolar. I have good days and bad days. Bad days I am irritable, sad, can stay in bed days on end -- never wanting to leave the bed, yet alone the house. Personal hygiene is a chore for me on these days. I go to counseling, medication, exercise. Prayer helps me a lot. I have good days as well days where I am active. I force a smile most days and this drains me. I stay strong for my children because they need me. I had one stay in the hospital and I make an effort not to go back. On bad days I tell my children I am sick and my 7 year old will give me a hug and tell me he loves me, which gets me to my next day. My children have my back and I have theirs. I work, am active in the church, and my kids are active. I am a football, basketball, and dance mom. I am an ear to most of my friends because everyone thinks I am so strong, but behind closed doors I am bipolar.