1. Hello! I thought i’d start off my blog by talking about how I was
2. diagnosed with Bipolar 1 Disorder. This is a pretty lengthy story, so I’m going to break it up!

PART 1

During the summer of my graduation from high school I started having symptoms of manic depression. My depression got worse as the summer progressed. I felt so small, so isolated, empty and sad. It was as if I was physically there, but mentally I was gone. I suffered in silence because I didn’t know or understand what was happening to me. I felt as though I was gonna die, like literally die. I’ve now come to find out that a lot of people who are diagnosed with bipolar disorder also have thoughts of death. As the summer came to an end, it was time for me to head to college. I was still very depressed. I was not excited like the other college freshman around campus. My parents helped me get into my room and unpack. Saying goodbye wasn’t hard because at that point I was emotionally numb. However not too long after they left, I found some new friends. Soon I began feeling overly excited. They most likely thought I was a really bubbly person with a big personality. (which I do have lol) I felt as though I was invincible and on top of the world. My manic episode had made its appearance. The amount of happiness and excitement I felt is unexplainable. I was in a complete euphoric stage. I find it strange that I can recall a lot of the thoughts that I had during that day. Like me being famous and meeting celebrities. I remember asking my mom if one of my elementary school teachers could come on television during my interview. I called a friend from high school and told her I was getting a mansion, and that I was going to have a big party and that she was invited. I called my cousin and told her that I loved her and that everything was gonna okay. We had a lot going on our family. I believe that’s when she called my mom. My mom is very intuitive. She knew that college is a big change, because it is. She’s a social worker and has worked with clients who have a mental illness. My still being depressed when my parents left and being really happy a few hours later, was a key indication to her that I may need assistance. She didn’t freak out at all. Of course she was worried as any mother would be, but was not surprised when she got the call from my cousin that there might be something up with me. My mom called the University explaining the situation. In cases like this they usually have police involved for the safety of the public. Of course I wasn’t any danger to the public, but their very cautious. My mom told them to not involve the campus police. She knew that it would upset me and I appreciate her telling them that because I probably would have been extremely upset, scared, and confused. I ended up being walked to health services by a residential assistant. They had me go on a computer to take a test. The questions asked are what are usually used to determine whether a person has symptoms of a mental illness.

PART 2…