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By college, I had been diagnosed with bipolar illness, characterized by alternating periods of depression and hypomania. While I was hypomanic, I had more energy, talked constantly, socialized with strangers, and spent a lot of money.

My judgment was affected in most of my major life decisions. I would quit a job or move without considering the consequences.

These symptoms continued throughout my college years.I graduated with degree in occupational therapy and my first position was as a co-director of a community mental health day treatment program in Orlando. I eventually returned to school and earned a master’s degree in public health.

In 1998, I took a position as assistant professor of occupational therapy at a state university. For four years, I experienced what is known as “rapid cycling” and had to cope with constant alternation between depression and hypomania, never really returning to my “normal” self in between. I took medications and met with my psychiatrist and psychologist on a weekly basis.

In 2003, I developed a bipolar mixed state where I had mania and depression at the same time.In a matter of three months, I sold my house, moved and bought a $25,000 Land Rover. I don’t even like SUVs.

I spent another $10,000 on a shopping spree which, among other things, included the purchase of a dog for $1,000 (I already had two dogs). I admitted myself to seven different psychiatric hospitals during this episode trying to find the “magic bullet” that would stop the mania.

Finally, I took a semester off from teaching and obtained treatment that stopped the cycling and enabled me to control the symptoms of my illness. After returning to the university, I found that my work environment was not supportive.

I still enjoyed teaching but realized that to protect my mental health; I needed to seek employment elsewhere. My life has now stabilized and I am not out spending thousands of dollars and am an active member of my church and the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill.

Today I work as a Consumer Affairs Director for Central Florida Behavioral Health Network. I have been able to use my expertise as an occupational therapist and a consumer of mental health services in our quality improvement initiatives with local community mental health centers and substance abuse providers.

Presently, I am working on improving the supported employment programs in our area to incorporate the use of evidence-based practices in their delivery of services.