My sister's bi-polar was manifested as she was in college. Not exactly
sure how long she had been in school. But she is very bright.

And was about to finish and head on to graduate school.

Donna

Thank you for sharing mari, that must have been so hurtful....
(((((HUGS)))))
bizi

Bizi,

His leaving me worked out in the long run. He was not the right guy for me.

M

Donna,

How is your sister doing now? I hope that she is well.

M

My sister just celebrated her 5 wedding anniversary. And is married to
a fellow bi-polar. They both have to really work to keep their meds in
line. They run the local NAMI chapter in Kokomo. And they foster children.

They have 4 right now, and will hopefully have all 4 I believe at christmas.
Just celebrated the 16th birthday of one of them. They want very much
to adopt but haven't been able to.

They do pretty good as long as the meds stay stable. And we are lucky our
family is very supportive. My mom and a sister is always available if my
sister feels the need to go to the hospital for some reason.

Which has happened in the past. So she will get a ride if necessary.

Donna

I'm so sorry about that Mari. I sending Hugs,and Love. BF

me too. I'm glad that it worked out for the long run though.

I'm definitely seeing a pattern here. 20's, smart, ...

Wow, they must be B-U-S-Y!!!! I admire that they are able to juggle all of those responsibilities. I wonder sometimes how big a difference family support can make.

i had a prolonged hypomania (or mild mania) at 17 when i was sophomore in college (young due to changed school systems, good grades). then at 18 i had the longest and weirdest manic episode probably in my life. i only had a mild depression/anxiety in between.

i graduated but decided to go back to a different university to study CS (a practical field). at 20 the first of several long and crippling depressions hit. i got the BS by the skin of my teeth leaving a trail of regret for a couple of classes i know i would have enjoyed if i could have got myself to them, and a host exasperated and bewildered professors who seeing my ability, were kind enough to give me help and second chances... with inexplicably absent results.

subsequently i worked and managed to run the gauntlet between highs and lows until around age 30 when i had a terrible crash, saw a therapist who sent me to a pdoc who finally dx'd and treated me.

i knew what manic depression and bipolar was but it had never occurred to me that i had it... until i read a couple of books by Kay Redfield Jamison... esp. An Unquiet Mind...

~ waves ~