I'm still learning my way around this site, but anyway, hello to everyone here on this forum. I first developed symptoms at the age of 32 but refused psych treatment until four years later when I had quite fallen to pieces. At first I was dx'd with schizophrenia and depression. A few years later, while hospitalized again, the pdoc called it BP and prescribed Seroquel and an AD which did help a lot. Finally, eight years ago I was diagnosed by a different pdoc as having schizoaffective disorder, though I'm not sure if that's accurate and feel that I am more BP with psychosis.

Anyway, I first became ill in 1993 while I was in my third year in a PhD program in Education. I'd been doing well before then and felt fairly happy, but suddenly I was having symptoms of mania with delusional thinking... followed unfortunately by a long depressive downturn and eventually had to withdraw from my program. I feel that this illness has robbed me of my life.

Now I suffer all the time from terrible fatigue. I have trouble doing basic house chores -- I've tried working many times but it always brings my symptoms on something terrible. I just wish I had the energy to socialize again... and to lead a semi-normal life, as I am quite isolated these days.

Anyway, I appreciate this opportunity to introduce myself to the board.
:-)