I remember the day my mom became sick and when she use to lock me in a closet because she was afraid she would lose me. I remember when my dad left her and the fear I felt. The words please daddy don’t leave me. I do not blame my mother for the way she treated me.

The fact is she was sick. Bipolar disorder can hide for years and at the moment of a dramatic event you snap. Sometimes I worry that when I have kids they will be susceptible to bipolar disorder. Usually it skips a generation as in my case. I recently had a friend commit suicide there were no signs he seemed happy with life. So when it happened I was in shock how could someone hide so well what they were going through.  I can only imagine the torment he must have been going through. I deal with my depression by working out and staying active. Sometimes this is difficult in the winter when we have little sunshine and dangerous temperatures. I usually spend hours a day at the YMCA to deal with the reality of living in a harsh climate. The most important thing I could tell you is to talk to someone if you get depressed. Do not let it isolate you. The more you talk the less power it has on you.