Are you accepting of your diagnosis?

I was originally diagnosed as bipolar and I was very accepting of that diagnosis, I think because I suspected it when I started seeking help. However, it changed to schizoaffective bipolar type and that took a bit longer to accept, although I accept it now. I've also accepted my diagnosis of PTSD, and I'm working on accepting the OCD diagnosis I recently received.

How old were you when diagnosed?

I was 22 when I was diagnosed with bipolar and the schizoaffective. I was 24 when I was diagnosed with PTSD and OCD.

Current treatment choice/why?

I'm currently on meds and in therapy, and I've dabbled in alternative treatments, although I don't think I'd ever forgo the meds completely for alternative treatments. I do what I do because it seems to work for the most part, even though I'm dealing with a breakthrough manic episode now.

Did your lifestyle change since being diagnosed?

Not really. I mean, I take pills all the time, but I don't think that would really qualify as a lifestyle change. I still do things I want to do, and I try not to let my diagnosis affect my life that much. I don't want it to dictate what I can and can't do.

Your opinion of meds vs alternate treatment?

I think whatever works for each individual is what works. If using herbs and supplements along with coping skills allows someone to live a semi-normal life and manage their disorder, I think that's wonderful. For myself, that happens to be something that doesn't work, and I think that's fine too. I guess my point is that if it works, I think it's the right treatment.

Level of education? did Bipolar affect your abilities?

I finished high school and got my diploma (barely). I do think bipolar affected my ability to do more, even though I was undiagnosed at the time. I went through, what I believe was a manic phase, my senior year of high school, and I failed most of my classes, which was really out of character for me. I took all honors and AP classes and maintained almost a 4.0 then senior year happened. I could have gone on to college, I got a 33 on my ACT, so I could have done a lot more, but I got reckless and impulsive and threw it all away.

Do you work, if so where?

Yes, I work full time in a factory. Although I've had to take quite a bit of time off of work, thankfully I have FMLA.

Family life? Who do you live with, how do you all cope with this disorder?

I live with my wife and our daughter. Things were bad before I got diagnosed. I used to yell. A lot. It seemed like an almost nightly occurrence. Once I was diagnosed and stabilized, the fights seemed to come to a grinding halt, which I am grateful for. Sometimes, however, it seems now I have to remind my wife that I am sick at times. Like now, during this manic episode, she seems to think I'm okay, or at least not as bad as I am. So it's a bit of a balancing act, I think. I've explained a little to our daughter (she's 7) about how my "brain is sick" so she's not completely oblivious, but I don't think she needs a detailed rundown at this point.

Do you feel your quality of life has been increased or decreased since experiencing Bipolar Disorder?

I honestly think my quality of life has been increased since I was diagnosed. I'm now on meds that have relatively stabilized me, and I get along with my wife and daughter much better. Not to mention that I have had less severe, and less frequent episodes. So overall, I would say I'm better off now that I've been diagnosed and in treatment.