I am 57 years old and was "officially" diagnosed with mental illness in 1985. It was a mis-diagnosis and I wasn't correctly diagnosed until 2004. Since that time, I've discovered I've been bipolar since I was a wee child. I've always been "different"...a gifted musician, a gifted student, moody, ill-tempered at times, uncontrollable when disciplined by my mother to the point of being beaten, there were periods when I felt normal, there were periods when I felt like an alien from outer space.

I never could keep friends. I managed somehow to graduate from college. But there were times when I couldn't hold down a job. I've been married four times. My current marriage has lasted 11 years and is a good one. I have a 16 year old son who is a gift from heaven as I had him at age 41.

Yes, I've felt "crazy", I've felt normal, I've felt all kinds of things because of the symptoms of bipolar. But the one thing I can say is I've never felt bored!!! It's been a hard life. Stigma. Challenges. Hardships. Poverty. No family support. Parents were alcoholic. Siblings didn't know or care about my struggles. But guess what. I survived. And I honestly believe I'm here and stronger because of it. I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

I don't wish it on any one of you. I feel very much for each of you. I know what you are going through. Each of our stories are a little different. But we can make it with each other's help. That's what this forum is for. Love to you all.