Hi...my name is Lauren, and I am 27 (going to be 28 in 3 weeks)
yr old/f from Connecticut. I am dxed with milder bipolar, and am an
occasional self injurer.

Basically, all my life I had problems. As a kid, it was with
ADD, and my grade school yrs were horrible. THen when I was 13, I
threatened to kill myself, and even though they kept me out of the
hosp, I got a dx of depression and was put on meds for 6months.
After that, I was fine for 8yrs.

When I was 21 and had just changed colleges, I started feeling
depressed, but it was a very racey, anxious, and somatic
depression. I was agitated, and just could not calm down. I went
back to a psychiatrist...and he evaluated me for over an hr...and
told me he thought I had Bipolar. Well, I freaked out, refused to
fill lithium, so he just gave me low dose zoloft and saw me only
ever other month for 15 min med sessions, so I eventually droppe
dout of therapy. I was okay for about 2 yrs after.

I was 24 and very depressed again and thats what got me into my
current therapists office (this time a psychiatric nurse
practitioner). SHe had me on zoloft for a yr, but would notice when
I got depressed, I can get really agitated. I should also mention
by now I was cutting (but never was alot). After a yr with her, she
dxed bipolar type 2..the milder kind. I also have borderline
traits. I have had a few close calls, and even was have been on
antipsyotics) but thank GOd she has always kept me out of the hosp.

I finally graduated college last yr after 8yrs with a degree in
General Studies/Social Sciences. I now work as a teaching assistant
for kindergarteners. I could teach, b.c I have a bachelors degree,
but would have to go throug certification and also feel teaching
would be stressful, even though I love the kids. Teachers have to
deal with parents who always think they are wrong and the principals
who never side with the teachers. But working with the kids I love,
and I eventually would like to get my Masters in School counseling
so I could work one on one (rather than controlling a class of 25+)
with kids. I feel I could be more effective that way. I also have
a wonderful fiancee Ralph and we will get married probably in
2004.

So that is enough babbling for now..I hope to meet some of your
real soon and look fwd to speaking to all of you.

Hugs,
Lauren