Christina, aged 16
"I was a happy, confident person studying for 11 GCSEs, and
enjoying a good social life with a large circle of friends.
All seemed well in my life.
Suddenly from feeling really cheerful, happy and full of energy,
I withdrew to my room, stopped eating and stopped talking to
everybody, even my parents. I was having vivid hallucinations,
became paranoid and even thought about hurting myself.
My parents became really worried and eventually I was admitted
to a child and adolescent psychiatric unit.
I now realise that I was manic before I plunged into black
depression. One I was diagnosed as bi-polar (manic depressive), I
was able to understand and come to terms with my illness.
Medication was given to me to deal with the mood swings,
together with a talking therapy.
With support from my family and friends, I am now back at school
and I hope to go to medical school in the next couple of
years."