Thanks for your kind words guys and gals I grew up with a mother struggling with bipolar disorder, anxiety, substance abuse, all that fun stuff. She was however a very loving caring mother and I have her to thank for getting me to a psychiatrist when I first started showing serious signs of a mood disorder. I've experienced both sides of bipolar disorder; the concerned but confused onlooker, and the first hand sufferer.

While attending community college I eventually concluded that I wanted to do something to alleviate the suffering of others by using by own first hand experiences to help others. I started out in psychology which I found fascinating but transitioned into a interdisciplinary degree that included social services, public policy, sociology, etc. I graduated 3 years ago but my symptoms, while controlled with medication, have held me back from biting the bullet and doing what was necessary to get a grown up job While going through my latest, and most severe depression, one that has left me completely lost, my step mom (a social worker) suggested becoming a peer support counselor. A light bulb went off in my head and I think that is what my calling is, at least to start.

In the mean time I have started seeing a counselor who i'll be seeing once a week through a private non-profit mental health organization. While I know I need the therapy for myself, I also want to go through all the therapeutic strategies that are used to help people with bipolar so I have that experience as a peer support counselor. I have yet to get any experience in a mental health setting which is obviously rather necessary to land a job, but I would like to find a place to volunteer in seattle while go through therapy.

All that said i'm really struggling getting out of bed these days and am still often overwhelmed by everything and occasionally have suicidal thoughts.

Any suggestions?