"Invariably, by the time the appointment rolled around, she would have cycled into one of her good days," Mary adds. "She'd smile at the doctor with her big blue eyes and be sweet Kristy. The doctors would tell me that she was just learning to be independent … and I should relax and let her grow up."

Kristy's teen years remained tumultuous as the manic-depressive cycles continued, unchecked. Still, Kristy graduated from high school on schedule. She then began a series of part-time jobs, as a window dresser and photographer's assistant. In her spare time, she painted.

At 21, she moved into her own apartment where things began to fall apart.

Warning Signs.
Typically frightened of their own thoughts and convinced they are utterly alone, young people often hide their symptoms for as long as possible.

Suzanne Vogel-Scilibia, now 47, had become accustomed to suicidal thoughts by the time she started high school. She felt sad most of the time, gained a great deal of weight and believed the radio was sending her messages.