Aside from mentioning that I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder Type II (rapid-cycling) in January 2001, I realize in retrospect that I didn't mention much else in the "About Me" portion of my profile, so I think that I'll actually take a little time now to acquaint myself with the BipolarConnect.com community. My name is K.R.P., though I am widely known online as ariadneK (the "ariadne" portion coming from one of my favourite tragic figures in Greek mythology). :-) I am a scientist by trade, hence the Ph.D. tacked on the end; over the years, I have primarily worked in the fields of vaccine development and cancer research.
Although I was diagnosed in 2001, that's not to say that I didn't realize that "something was amiss" well before then. Life through high school, then undergraduate college, and then graduate school in particular became increasingly more difficult nightmares of mood swings, tears, and flashes of nearly unsurmountable anger as the beast within writhed further out of control...until an angel (in the form of my postdoctoral mentor and good friend to this day) gave me an ultimatum one afternoon: seek professional help or leave his laboratory.
The first 3 years were difficult and filled with denial and non-compliance on my part, but these last 3 years have been, dare I admit quite yet, quite pleasant overall once I settled down into accepting what I need to do to acknowledge my diagnosis and treat myself well for optimal health benefit. The past year in particular has brought to me a geographic move, a new job, and a new outlook on life that I never thought possible...and (many of you will understand the enthusiasm that I speak this next part with) I have FINALLY found my "personally ideal" med regimen, which happens to be 7.5 mg Abilify and 50 mg Zoloft! I have never felt better, and I wish the best to all of you in finding similar success together with your mental healthcare practicioners.
Although I was diagnosed in 2001, that's not to say that I didn't realize that "something was amiss" well before then. Life through high school, then undergraduate college, and then graduate school in particular became increasingly more difficult nightmares of mood swings, tears, and flashes of nearly unsurmountable anger as the beast within writhed further out of control...until an angel (in the form of my postdoctoral mentor and good friend to this day) gave me an ultimatum one afternoon: seek professional help or leave his laboratory.
The first 3 years were difficult and filled with denial and non-compliance on my part, but these last 3 years have been, dare I admit quite yet, quite pleasant overall once I settled down into accepting what I need to do to acknowledge my diagnosis and treat myself well for optimal health benefit. The past year in particular has brought to me a geographic move, a new job, and a new outlook on life that I never thought possible...and (many of you will understand the enthusiasm that I speak this next part with) I have FINALLY found my "personally ideal" med regimen, which happens to be 7.5 mg Abilify and 50 mg Zoloft! I have never felt better, and I wish the best to all of you in finding similar success together with your mental healthcare practicioners.
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Some random blurbs about me...
