Hello, I am a single 43-yr-old mother of a 7-yr-old son. I have suffered from depression all my life. I am a survivor of child and domestic abuse. I began treatment for depression in 1994, but wasn't properly diagnosed as bipolar until 2003. My "official" dx is: bipolar with major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder with panic attacks........how's that for a mouthful!!!

I have come here to look for others who can relate to the things that I feel and that go through my mind. I need someone to understand how I feel. My Mom tries, but the rest of my family isn't interested. I only have 1 close friend and even she doesn't understand the depth of my problems/illness.