I was not diagnosed until 1998, but I struggled with mood disorders for years, and I think I probably had ADHD as a child. Over the years, during depressive periods, I made three attempts at suicide. Somehow I managed to raise two children through it all, and my husband of 28 years never left my side, despite the fact that he had never dealt with brain disorders before.

Even though I began treatment for this illness in 1998, I still struggled with the illness as we had very few support groups our area. I found much of my support on-line, and made many friends how were struggling just as I was.

Having been a writer, (mainly of poetry) from childhood, I began recording my feelings and pain in poetry form. I began sharing them with close friends who encouraged me to have them published. After having several individual poems accepted for publication in a few literary magazines, I published my first full length book in August of last year. At the present time, I am polishing up manuscript #2. As a result of my struggles and recovery, I have "made the local papers", been interviewed on T.V. and have been asked to speak to a few local groups.