I am a successfully medicated bipolar that has been officially dealing with my disease for 20 years. I definitely had bipolar disease as a child. It was not obvious until my teens, however.

I was poorly medically treated for many years. I have been in institutions many times. I do not have periods of normalcy. I am not a rapid cycler. I swing about every three months. My medication typically manages these swings, although I can tell clearly when the swing occurs.

I have spent the last 20 years researching and educating myself on the disease as information progresses. Most times, I know more about my disease than my doctors. I work with my psychiatrist as my partner in my disease; I am responsible for educating myself and bringing my knowledge to the table. I am anal about my disease, and want to help others that struggle with it, both by choice and circumstance.

Notice that I call it a “disease”; not a disorder. Bipolar Disease never goes away. It is with us our entire life, even if it is dormant for a period of time. Each of us experience our swings differently. Many of us have individual signs of an upcoming swing. Many of us are drug-resistant. I am definitely in this category.

My intent with this blog is to educate you on what I know, share my stories, and ask you to do the same. In no way, shape or form is the content in this blog to be taken as rote, and should not be used in lieu of any doctor’s advice or treatment. It is purely educational; take what you want and leave the rest.

I look forward to sharing and learning from you!