My name is Katherine but my friends call me Katie. I'm from Portage, Michigan. I have chin length light brown hair with, blue eyes, and I am 5 feet 4 inches tall.

In 2000, I was diagnosed with BipolarII Disorder . I am doing my level best to cope, and for the most part my psychiatrist and I have found a pretty good combination of medications. I decided to mention all of this here because I am saddened by the fact that so many in the world feel ashamed of admitting they have before or are now suffering from depression or any other mental illness. It is a much more common problem than most people realize. I found that out as soon as it affected me. Only then did I hear the many stories of other sufferers.

In June and July of 2002 I received electro-convulsive therapy (ECT) for the treatment of severe depression. It is a surgical process in which you recieve an electric shock on your head which is meant to give you a seizure. ECT has been used for many years, though it used to be a much more torturous, frightening process. They now put you to sleep and only your foot shows signs of a seizure. They don't really know why this procedure works, but it does. I recieved 7 ECT treatments and I'm doing great. It was a rather frightening ordeal, but it went so well I can't complain. I went to the most wonderful tiny little hospital called Oaklawn Hospital in Marshall, MI. It was so small I got to know all of the people who treated me...it was very nice. So thank you to all the great people at Oaklawn Hospital.

If you happen to have any questions for me...feel free to ask...I am not ashamed, I am proud to be able to share my experiences and possibly help others. If you have any stories of your own to share I'd love to hear them, just drop me a line. December 1999.

I have five siblings. Nicole, my step sister, is twenty-three. Rick, my brother, is twenty-one. Clayton, my step brother, is seventeen. Allyson, my step sister, is fourteen. Sam, my half brother, is eleven. Then there's my mom and step-dad John. And my dad and step-mom Ilse. I live the majority of the time with Rick (the brother) at my mom's house. The rest of them I visit on weekends at my dad's. I also have to add into the mix my best friend Becki and her son. I've known Becki since we were four so she's basically part of the family. She has a son named Devin who's also been welcomed into the family. They're so close to us that my mom refers to them as her daughter and grandson. Obviously my family is very important to me. More...

I have loved music for as long as I can remember (thanks Dad). I have, in the last several years, come across some little known bands that I think are pretty awesome. So, for more on my tastes and some great bands head to my Music Page .

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