Welcome to my blog. I daresay that you have been doing this longer than I have, so please forgive the basic layout ... I'll work at it.

I've decided to set up a blog because, for some years now, I have had bipolar disorder. It used to be called manic depression. It's not badly controlled with drugs (Lithium, 1000mg daily), a supportive and loving family and a job that lets me do as much or as little as I feel like doing. Things are ticking along, but it's unfair on my family to unburden myself on them, constantly telling then how I am feeling, confiding my (sometimes irrational) worries and anger and frustration on them.

My mood can change daily, hourly even. I've tried a conventional diary, but to commit feelings to paper and close the book simply won't do any more. For some reason, I am drawn to sharing my experiences - probably fairly heavily edited - with people whom I know I shall never meet. That makes it easier.

I hope also that this reaches others in the position I found myself some years ago: knowing that there was something dreadfully wrong, but not being able to do anything about it. Getting into trouble, with employers, the police. Alienating friends, family and colleagues and not caring. Then regretting, yet also enjoying it. It is empowering, disinhibiting and disasterous to have this condition.

I have come some way so far, but perhaps some of you may like to tag along on the journey that is still to come?