About Me
*I live with bipolar but remain stable most of the time and “One day at a time”!
*My interests:
My Peopledog Petey and her pictures
Music from classical to country
Writing on my blog and workbooks
*I currently live on disability and reside in Oklahoma my homeland.
*I was a therapist for 30 years, primarily in the Twin Cities of Minnesota.
*I have a degree in Music and Theater with a Doctorate in Counseling and Psychology
April 16th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Hi Annie, glad you came back to leave a link. It’s really late here, but I’ll be back tomorrow to read more.
If you’re ok with leaving a link in the comments, I’d be glad. If you’d rather I delete it, let me know, but I figure the few regular visiors I have would be interested in what you say too.
Be back soon,
jcat
June 22nd, 2008 at 12:24 am
I am living with Bipolar Disorder (recently diagnosed) and have worked as a Counselor for teens in previous years. I’ve always thought I would make a good therapist, but am wondering if being Bipolar would hinder that dream. I am at a crucial point in my college education and need to choose a major best suitable for me. Can someone like me get accepted into a clinical psychology program? I am inspired by your blogs, as it seems you were able to do something you were passionate about for 30 years. I think that is amazing that you were a thearapist even though you are Bipolar.
April 11th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
I was dx w/ Bipolar Disorder for the “final” time last year. It’s been a back and forth thing between BP and ADD. The constant experimentation w/ meds. took it’s toll. I’ve shared this journey with very few friends and my Mom. Most people do not agree that I have either. In essence, I have done a particularly good job of compensating. I am the first person in my family to earn a college degree and will be the first with a graduate degree. I was a social worker for several years and have transitioned into a new career as an academic advisor. I am also a single parent. My daugher is 12. At the age of 41, I decided to complete a grad degree. I am somewhat of a vicarious situation in that I felt like a “fraud” for persuing further studies in the mental health profession because of my “diagnosis”. I gravitated towards the humanities, particularly English for a grad program. I have completed 15 credits of an American Studies degree. As you can imagine, this requires a certain level of creativity and critical thinking skills. I am currently taking 300 mg of Tegretol and 20 mg of Celexa to control my BiPolar. Of course, like most, I do miss the highs, but my daughter is my number one concern, and the lows just weren’t worth what I thought I would benefit from being so “high”. With this background in mind, I find myself in a very conflicted place. I sometimes struggle to articulate my thoughts. I attribute this to my medication. I really struggle to write at the level this program demands. I get by with primarily A-’s. However, I am very unhappy in this program. I equate my situation to one of a stubborn donkey being pulled by a rope. Any advice?
February 9th, 2010 at 11:27 am
I was trying to do research on mentally ill mental health practitioners and your site is the only one I found! I am an LCSW and provide therapy and I have also been diagnosed with Bipolar II Disorder. I am interested in starting some sort of training or education for practitioners about sensitivity for this subject. I’m so glad I’m not alone!
February 10th, 2010 at 7:50 pm
Robin, I was so excited to get your comment ! I am also interested in training. In particular I am interested in writing rather than presentation. I am no longer working and live on Disability. I do some writing now and have plenty of time. I would be interested in your ideas. Please let me know if you would like to share your thoughts. I worked for 30 yrs and it was wonderful work. The writing now that I do is fulfilling but I am always looking for someone to share in projects. My email is Anniepete12@Yahoo.com. I hope to hear from you! Peace, Annie