DX in early 40's. It explained a lot of behavior in the past. It's definitely hereditary. It think my dad went un DX'd which explained a lot of his behavior

The reason I want to see a psychologist and not a psychiatrist is because I am not at all interested in taking medication. I am looking mainly for talk therapy more so than anything else. However if there are psychiatrist that will not just recommend me medication then I would be willing to see one. However my insurance doesn't seem to be covering these things anyways though so I am unable to see anyone about my problems. It is quite unfortunate and I'm at a lost for what to do. I've been told that I should check myself into a mental hospital but I was trying to avoid doing that.

I was diagnosed in my early 30's after a huge nervous breakdown. It ran in my mom's side of the family.

I was diagnosed at age 37 after suffering from a nervous breakdown due to intense stress at work. The first coarse of treatment was putting me on Prozac. Luckily my pdoc told me if I was bipolar the Prozac could put me in a manic state and that it did.

I knew I had PTSD and thought that is why I was different. Looking back I can see how I was bipolar and dealing with PTSD at the same time.

Please go to a psychiatrist and let them know your thoughts. There is hope. You just need the right doctor to listen and diagnose you.

I was diagnosed with clinical depression at 16. I suffered with mood swings throughout my early 20s. I was diagnosed bipolar at 24 - it explained SO much. As Fish says - get to a psychiatrist and get yourself an official diagnosis. You're dealing with a sensitive and complicated disorder - easily mistaken for other things. Let the professionals guide and help you.

I was diagnosed at age 23

For the most part it was a good thing.

The bad part was the stamp of stigma.

You are probably wasting your money asking a psychologist to diagnose you.

You can go to a psychiatrist,get a diagnosis and refuse medication if you wish.

But you might get a diagnosis of something else that you treat in another way.

Just to add - talk therapy will not do much if you are bipolar - but as said you might have something else like Borderline Personality Disorder - which is why you need a medical doctor (which a psychiatrist is) to do the diagnosis.

Might turn out it is something else "physical" - something like thyroid issues. I assume you will take medication if that is the case?