I have not had a really depressed episode for 1 1/2 yrs. I am relatively stable now with hypomania break thru and maybe a little bit of mania that is controlled with meds, when needed.

I haven't been diagnosed for that long. At first it was horrible. I had a bad manic attack. Now I am learning to control the manias and self-care.

Lately, it hasn't been bad. I needed time to get used to the meds and rules. I don't like either of those, but c'est la vie.

I joke that when I am older, and the kids move out, I will move to Europe, get off meds and become a crazy artist/hobo! It is a dream.