May 13th, 1998
My name is Karly Long. I am a 28 year old woman who suffers from manic depression. I didn’t realize I was this way till I was about 26 years. I’ll never forget. I knew I always had something wrong with me I first wasn’t sure from the time I was a child into my adolescence (well it got worse then) I always had terrible mood swings, nights were extremely high days were extremely low. My relationships suffered throughout my life because of this problem. No one could keep on the roller coaster ride for that long. So people came and went. I always felt very alone and isolated. I couldn’t understand what was wrong with me, it was scary, I knew I was out of control. My family members still have a hard time understanding what it is like to be manic depressive. They think that I act half of it out for attention. That part is really hard to deal with. My mother is by my side all the time, she is my biggest supporter. She is the only way I feel connected to this family. Be manic depressive can be a hell of a roller coaster ride for you and anyone close to you. When I was 24 I got into a serious relationship which led to marriage. It turned out to be a very volatile relationship. After a whole bunch of large spending sprees I was reading this book about bipolar (manic depression). Also to let you know it the last 7 or 8 years I’ve seen every doctor on the planet, they all said I was depressed. So I was reading this book and it was me. I couldn’t believe it. It was me. Immediately found a doctor that specialized in my problem and went to see him. I took about 5 sessions then he knew I was definitely manic. So I started on lithium, which has been a God send. It totally evens me out. Now I am slowly pulling myself back together and feeling alot like my old self. I know I am on the right track.
Karly Long
