Hi everyone,

I'm Michelle and was recently diagnosed with Rapid Cycling Type II Bipolar. I've had a tough time coming to terms with the diagnosis but at the same time everything makes so much sense now. As I look back on my life I can clearly identify all the cycles and the consequences, both good and bad. My incredible productivity and creativity offset by my poor sociability and deep, dark depressions.

I've had a rough time of finding the right cocktail but the current protocol seems to be working fairly well. In addition, I maintain a daily mood journal via an app on the iPhone which both helped with the diagnosis and continues to help as we tweak the med regimen.

I'm now in the process of proactively changing my lifestyle to better suit the instability that is my reality. In the past I have, unknowingly fought the condition with often disastrous results. Several lost jobs, a divorce, serious downsizing, and economic struggle are all symptomatic of my condition.

On the whole, however, I am a positive energy kind of person with an optimistic outlook. This energy has carried me through a lot and hope to be able to leverage it more in the future. Exercise is starting to play an increased role in my care program and I'm certainly taking ownership and responsibility of my self-care.

I look forward to interacting with you all in the coming months and years.

Michelle