My name is Kay and I am a 51-year old widowed mother of one 15-year old son.  I am registered both on the bipolar connection and now the depression connection, because I have been given the diagnoses of bipolar disorder and of major depressive disorder, throughout my life, since June, 1982.  When I was younger, 20's and 30's, I had classic symptoms of mania - spending money I didn't have, engaging in promiscuous sex, calling people at all hours of the day and night and being able to run circles around most people I knew.  After I had my son in 1991, my mania turned into depression, for the most part, and I have struggled, since, with suicidal thoughts and have even acted on those thoughts a few times.  It will be nice to share experiences with others on this Share Post and to get and give helpful information.  Also, any kind of support you can give me or that I can give you, is what it is all about.  It is so important that we not isolate ourselves when we are down and out, and I am glad I have found this forum to ensure that I do not isolate myself.  I am looking forward to meeting with and talking to those of you out there who share this all-too-common and very debilitating disorder.