About ten years ago, I was diagnosed as having bipolar disorder I. To qualify for a diagnosis of bipolar disorder I, you must have experienced at least one manic episode that was not triggered by medication or substance abuse. Most people with bipolar I experience depression, as well, but depression is not required for a diagnosis of bipolar I.

I have been in a Federal Detention Center (FDC) for the past five months. In accordance with my attorney’s advice, I cannot discuss any details of the case. Recently, I have started corresponding with Joe Kraynak, coauthor of Bipolar Disorder For Dummies. He requested that I share my insights from inside the criminal justice system regarding the way medications are prescribed and administered.

Candida and I also host Bipolar-Story.com, where people share their stories of living with bipolar disorder. Visitors can post comments on each story. Recently, Maddie posted her comeback story, sharing her experience of living with Bipolar II in college, being diagnosed, and successfully returning to her studies.

Maddie’s tale is very inspirational and well-written. Definitely recommended reading for any college students who suffer melt-downs, which unfortunately is all too common. We encourage you to read Maddie’s story, “I Am Who I Am.”

College woman photo available from Shutterstock

Last night my wife and I watched Carrie Fisher’s Wishful Drinking – the HBO film version of her solo Broadway performance based on her book of the same title. In Wishful Drinking, Fisher recounts the emotional ups and downs of her childhood and career and her struggles with depression and mania, all in a very humorous way.

One thing that struck me, and I’ve noticed this in other situations, is that families are often pretty screwed up and sometimes it’s the most “normal” person in the family, the one who seems to really have it all together, takes the hit and ends up with the bipolar label. Then the family treats that person as the crazy one – the problem. I can’t claim that this is usually how it plays out, but I’ve observed it in a couple cases.

Just posted three new bipolar stories on our Bipolar Blog. I encourage you to check them out and post comments, especially on Rachel’s story. Sounds like she could really use some support and suggestions.

Also, if you have an intimate relationship with someone who has bipolar disorder, I suggest that you read “Dealing with a Lack of Intimacy,” which provides a unique perspective on this topic.

A list of stories is posted on the Bipolar Stories page near the middle. On the right, stories are listed in alphabetical order.

Photo by Sugarpond, available under a Creative Commons attribution license.

A contributor to our Bipolar Blog recently shared her story of living with Bipolar II and how a vegan diet along with 5-HTP and exercise helps her maintain mood stability. That got me thinking that it might be interesting and helpful to hear from others about what works (and what hasn’t) for them.

We’re all on a bipolar journey, and everyone travels a different path. Hearing what works and what doesn’t can often keep others off dead-end roads and provide shortcuts to more effective treatments so they feel better sooner.

Please share. What’s your diagnosis? What works for you – medication and non-medication? What hasn’t worked in the past?

Note: This is just for people with bipolar disorder. On Thursday, family and friends of those with bipolar will have their chance to share.

Photo by Martin Cathrae, available under a Creative Commons attribution license.

We rarely post on our original blog, Bipolar Blog, anymore; we maintain it primarily as a place where people can share their stories and insights of living with bipolar or with a bipolar loved one. I just posted a new story from Steve about his journey in rebuilding his life after receiving his diagnosis.

Check out Steve’s Story or visit our Share Your Bipolar Story page for more stories. In the middle of the page is a list of links to the stories arranged from newest to oldest. On the right is a navigation bar that list stories alphabetically.

Photo by andronicusmax, available under a Creative Commons attribution license.

The December 20 issue of TIME magazine has ten questions with writer-actress Carrie Fisher, author of Wishful Drinking. One of the questions, from Gary Bebout of Los Angeles, asks:

What is the biggest misconception about bipolar disorder?

Fisher responds:

The big thing happening now that seems bizarre is that they’re diagnosing everyone with it. Anyone with a mood: Oh, they’re bipolar. We’re probably the most medicated society in the world. But misconceptions, I don’t know. We’re good dancers. All of us.

How would you answer this same question? What do you think is the biggest misconception about bipolar disorder?

Without my battle with manic depression I would still be that fear-driven little boy, unable to truly give, or receive, love. Manic Depression was a gift….

Sorry we haven’t posted this week. I’ve been swamped with other projects and Dr. Fink has been busy with her practice. I did want to take some time to let you know that a couple individuals have recently shared their bipolar stories on our original blog, Bipolar Blog.

We rarely post on Bipolar Blog anymore, investing more effort right here, but we continue to maintain the stories and insights area on Bipolar Blog. We feel it’s therapeutic for people to share their stories, and reading the stories may help you feel a little less alone in your own experiences in living with bipolar disorder.