I was diagnosed with Bipolar I Disorder in 2003, after a lifetime of misdiagnosis. It was so wonderful to finally have a name for the condition I had been battling for so long.

However, even with medication, the depressive and manic episodes continued, though farther apart. I lost several GOOD jobs because, in a state of mania, I would just walk out and quit without any notice. I'd paint the living room lime green and purple. Max out the credit cards, then return all the crazy stuff I bought. Re-arrange furniture. Jump in the car and drive 5 hours to the beach, totally depleting our bank account.

Then a depressive episode would come out of nowhere and knock me over. I cry for days, with no reason. I physically CANNOT get out of bed. I don't shower for days. I don't eat. I wear the same sweats all day. Talking makes me cry.

The rare days I feel "normal," I even fear, because I know another episode is hiding around the next corner. But I have had to accept, this is my life. #ThisIsMe #bipolar1disprder #Mania #Depression #Misdiagnosis