After most of a decade diagnosed with recurrent major depressive disorder, two separate shrinks have decided I'm bipolar. In the interest of education, I offer a wholehearted plug for PsychCentral, which I serve as the managing editor.
Are You Depressed?...Or Are You Manic?

Having been both, I'm here to say I will take suicidal depression over "traditional" mania any day of the week. (Latest research shows that not many people have the kind of mania anymore that is popularly portrayed in movies — it's less of a huge freakout and more extreme irritability, etc. I tend more to the second sort but unfortunately have had the first.) If you need any help with either, let me know or come post on PsychCentral and meet some nice people in the same boat who are willing to help.

When I get too overwhelmed, I self-injure. It's not the best coping method, but it works. It does freak people out, though. Read this to know what and what not to say to someone who SI's.

The Introvert Manifesto. Need to deal with me? Read this. Memorize it. THEN come talk to me.

Along those same lines, this is my Enneagram result. Read it. Memorize it. THEN come talk to me. ;-) You can take the Enneagram at Similar Minds.

There are few things more detrimental to a woman's mental health than being a birthmom. In March 2004, I had the great good fortune of being "found" and contacted by my son's adoptive mother. Knowing where and how he is has turned my life around, entirely to the good! He turns 20 at the end of May (I swear I am not that old, I can't really be that old), and I think of him and miss him daily. If you're a birthmom — especially if you're a birthmom who suffered through a closed adoption — and you need to talk to someone, write me.