Accepting a position as a feature writer was very exciting for me. Although I had no formal training as a writer, I could just see myself writing about the cutting edge research on mental health, reporting on the bills coming out of Congress, etc. I never thought about how difficult it would be for me to to do those things.

First of all, I need to get over my need for perfection. My first article, I must have written four or five drafts before I was somewhat happy with the end product.

Secondly, my disorder impedes my ability to write; I can have a really good idea and then half a second later, it's gone. Not only do racing thoughts get in my way of bringing impactful yet useful information to people like me, my disorder puts me in the hospital when I least expect it. Those of you with Bipolar Disorder know what I'm talking about. What I'm trying to say is, "I'm sorry." I want to bring people like me useful information about what is going on in society as concerns mental health and I promise to try to do so on a more consistent basis.