My name is Daniel and I'm 29. I was adopted from Korea and grew up in Eastern Pennsylvania. I spend about 8-9 months of the year working in Dubai and the other months traveling around the world.

I was diagnosed as Bipolar (II) as a late teenager. The diagnosis came late, because I was mostly viewed as high-achieving... lots of degrees, Ivy League schools, music prodigy, etc. But I had a suicide attempt shortly after meeting my Korean birth mother and a break-up with my girlfriend.

Nearly a decade later, I've managed to self-cope with most bipolar issues. I'm self-employed and don't have severe manic episodes. Being self-employed helps me deal with the depressive episodes, since I can cut back on work. Medication was always awful for me and I'm no longer suicidal and can function in society, so I'd rather use alternative forms of 'medicine'.

Lately, though, I've had another break-up, and realized that a lot of it had to do with bipolar tendencies (overreacting, triggers, mood swings, etc.). I just wore her out. So I want to become more active about recognizing and dealing with my BP issues and hopefully not get to that point in a relationship again.

Thanks,

- Daniel