I am, in reality, bipolar as well. I don’t post that on my blog probably because, five years ago when the “crap hit the fan” and I had to be really honest with my friends about it, I lost many of them. It seems that people like “depression” more than they like “bipolar.” And, truly, that is the part of it that I deal with the most–my lows are LOOOOWWW. I am not really manic; I get what they call hypomania at times–mainly late April, early May–and it manifests itself mainly as irritability and, how do you say…overstimulation. I can’t deal with a bunch of people talking at me all at once, or a cacophany of noises or things like that when I am hypomanic.

I actually do take medication for that part of it, a very low dose of an anti-convulsant that seems to work well. It doesn’t make everything go away, it just takes the edge off so that, if I’m irritable I can take a minute and go “Okay, stop, breathe…” Of course, as evidenced on the blog, my natural self has a bit of a hot head…that’s just me, that has nothing to do with the disease

I have wrestled with whether or not to talk about being bipolar on my blog and, so far, have decided against it. I think it’s because of how people reacted all those years ago–I was shocked and hurt when my friends acted like I had the plague…but, I understand, it’s a tough thing to deal with, and they only know the Hollywood stereotypes. They probably thought I’d be climbing the walls, coloring with blood or something. It’s not something I will disclose to my medical school either, mainly because of stigma. I don’t need to–and my doctor agrees. I am well managed.

Anyway, that’s that.

I think you have more patience than I could ever have in the same situation I am so black and white, I’d be all “JUST DECIDE already!!!” Obviously, Josh found his perfect person, and vice-versa.