I was 32 years old when I was diagnosed with bi-polar disease. The doctor put me on lots of different medications. All these did was put me to sleep. My 12 year old daughter was taking care of her younger brothers and me! I couldn't do anything except sleep. My house went to hell, I didn't care. CPS took my kids. Thankfully, before all this, I had a discussion with my mom about caring for my kids. She took guardianship when CPS got involved. I stopped all medication the night the kids were removed from my care. Unfortunately, I was using meth to get by. I was further diagnosed with schizophrenic tendencies along with the bi-polar. I became pregnant with my fourth child after other kids were removed. When he was 6 months old, I took a hard look at my life and decided I was done living like that! I moved out of state, and severed all contact with the people I used to call friends. I have been clean for 21 years! I still struggle daily with the bi-polar, but at least I'm living. I felt like I was just barely breathing on the meds and on the meth. Yes, it's hard. But I am better for leaving my demons behind me.