About Me
Updated 5/09/09
I am one of the millions of people in the U.S. living with bipolar disorder. I was first diagnosed in 2001. I was 24 years old and going through a divorce. It was a rough time. I was on Prozac, and became manic when the dosage was increased. It was then that I was diagnosed as bipolar and put on Depakote, a mood stabilizer.
My diagnosis is Bipolar II with Rapid Cycling. I’ve never had full-blown mania, only periods of hypomania and some insomnia. I’ve never stayed up for days on end, but there are times when I have increased energy. I would say that I experience depression more often than I do mania. Without medication, my depressions can last anywhere from a few days to a few months. My biggest issue in the past few years has been anxiety. There was a time when I was afraid to leave my house. I don’t know if I have an anxiety disorder as well, or if anxiety is just part of being bipolar. My other symptoms include memory problems and obsessive thoughts. The medication makes it easier for me to focus and remember things.
I’m on Invega and Ativan. Medication has done wonders for me. I lived for 3 years without it, and that was a very dark time. I’ve seen the difference in friends of mine who take medication. Many people are against taking medication for psychiatric disorders; my family included. Based on my experience and observations, I would have to say that medication works better than any other type of therapy or remedy. This is just my opinion. I respect the decisions of others. Some people choose not to take medicine, and that is their right. However, I hate to see people suffer. I hope that over time, people will become more comfortable with the idea of taking prescription drugs.
I currently work full-time as a caregiver. I have also run home-based businesses as well. My latest venture is web development. I hope I can make a lot of money with that, but right now, I’m learning about the business. I plan to continue to work for now. I’d like to set things up to where I don’t have to work much at all, so I can enjoy my life. Hopefully, making websites will allow me to do that eventually.
I believe that I’m entitled to the same things as anyone else. I have the right to work, the right to drive, the right to be a parent, the right to live on my own, and to do whatever else is necessary for my survival (within reason). In the past, functioning in society has been difficult, thanks to my bipolar disorder, hearing loss, and social phobia. Put all those three together and just imagine how difficult life can be. Modern medicine has made life much easier for me, though. Now that I have hearing aids and medication, I feel almost normal most of the time!
I understand that many people with bipolar disorder are unable to work. I do support them in receiving disability benefits. I have friends who are on disability. A mental illness is a serious condition that can be disabling.
On this blog, I discuss my life experiences, as well as information on bipolar disorder.
