My name is Kadisha , I am a 27 yr. old female. 

I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder only a little over a year ago. I do suspect that I have suffered from it for much longer though. My first depressive episodes occurred in high school at about age 16. I lost interest in nearly everything and hardly ever went to school. This greatly upset my mother and affected our relationship. I went to a psychologist to deal with my non attendance at school but we never really addressed the depression. Things got better slowly and I started college after high school and I went through a long period of feeling really good, perhaps too good in hindsight. The depression soon reoccurred and things went on like its for quite some time. I tried many antidepressants and doctors but bipolar disorder was never considered, partially because I never showed up in a doctors office in a hypomanic state. I also suffer from bulimia and have on and off since age 13. I think at first it started as a way to control my weight but it soon became more about finding a way to cope with life in general. I also have a history of self injury, which for me has been a way of expressing anger and frustration and also coping with life in general. As far as treatment I am medication for my bipolar which seems to be working but it is an on going struggle as is the bulimia which I am in therapy for now too. 

My email is: Indigoorchid@aol.com