I am 25 years old and the mother of 4 children, all 5 and under. I suffer from bipolar disorder. I was diagnosed, FINALLY, about two years ago. I was pregnant at that time and was on the brink of either suicide or being admitted into inpatient treatment. My husband couldn't handle me anymore. I didn't know what was wrong. From time to time, I still wonder what's wrong. I had an undesirable childhood with very tragic events. I brought all that into my adult life.

Today I take several medications. I don’t like pills, but I know that to make it through the day most of the time, I need them. I think about one day being rid of them, but to be realistic, it's not likely to happen. I didn't like being called bipolar at first, but I know I'm not alone. I have come to find out there are millions of other people who have the same thing.

Kudos to those who aren't afraid to say, "Hey, I'm just a little crazy." I think those of us that are "crazy" are actually the normal ones. And God bless my husband. He's been by my side through all the ups and downs of this thing. How he has handled it I'll never know. Some days all I want from him is hold me and let me cry. There are a lot of days like that. I used to be promiscuous, and I thought sex was all I was good for. My husband has shown me otherwise, and so have my kids, friends, and some of my family.

At one time, I wanted attention so much that I became "friends" with the wrong people. Here's a hard lesson I’ve learned – when you are dealing with others who are ill and don't get help, tell them to get help and run away from them fast. Why? Because they will only hinder your therapy and drag you down into their world - a world that isn't reality and isn't positive and will only upset your life more. YOU DON'T NEED IT!

It's hard to deal with having bipolar at times. There are days I just wish it would go away. It's VERY hard to concentrate at times. But therapy is great. Talking about how I’m feeling and finding out ways to deal with it all, works wonders. I am now taking paralegal courses and hopefully one day I can aim for law school. And that takes a lot, because of the self-doubt I have from time to time.

Don't be ashamed of having bipolar. Be proud that you are getting help and DEALING with it.