Hi and Welcome to the board TM.... I found embracing bipolar when I was first diagnosed helped me a great deal

There are many ways of being bipolar.. We aren't all the same by any means so one person may have the more traditional highs to lows 'when they are cycling'
And others like myself when I'm ill tend to go into a mixed state so I am very wound up and miserable at the same time and I have long periods of being stable in between but I'm always on the low side

You will learn a lot on the board... ..xo

Hello sweety. I have bipolar too Keep strong hun. Never quit. You are not alone. We all care. Well I care. Flow with bipolar. Dance. Whack on some dance music and dance through the moods. Always here for you. A major big hug coming your way

Marky mark xx

These are different types of bipolar.... Not everyone has every symptom and things can overlap

http://www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder/guide/bipolar-disorder-forms

Hi Michelle, welcome to the board :)
There's no one here who can simply sit down and explain what all of this means for you and your life, because we're all different. However, there are common feelings and thoughts that many of us share and understand. Please feel free to vent, bounce things off of us, ask questions (including: am I the only one who does/feels this?! - we do that all the time). One of the most helpful parts for me on this board (and a few others) is the feeling that I am not alone, and that I am understood. That helps a great deal.
I hope you'll stick around, read some posts, and get comfortable bc this place can be very helpful.
cheers!

Welcome Michelle! You will find lots of information and support here. (((HUGS!)))

Hi Michelle - welcome to the group! There's SO much to know about bipolar disorder - it's like a spectrum and each individual has her or his own place somewhere along the line. I have OCD, too, and it would probably look a lot different than yours.

You have found the right spot to find support, give support, and make new friends. Greetings and Salutations!

My pdoc once told me that being on Prozac will help my OCD.
I said "I don't have OCD". He laughed and said YOU DON'T????
Well, how would I know if I had it since I was always like this, I have nothing to compare it too,
But yeah, the Prozac helped. I'm no longer on it and my OCD is still down to a minimum.

Hello and welcome. It takes some time after being diagnosed with ANY mental disorder, but it gets better. You become more in tune with yourself and your individual symptoms. For example, after a few days of stress and being too busy and sleeping poorly I go through depression. You'll find a kind of awareness over time....interacting with others here who understand helps a lot.

Hi TMichelle68 welcome to the board. I can't make an opinion on your doc's diagnosis. If you disagree can you go get a 2nd opinion. I 'm diagnosed with OCD too. One of my diagnosis is Tourette and OCD is usually associated with it. I know how good it feels to be with people who understand each other. I think that;s what makes DS and other support groups, self help groups on and off the net so supportive . You're with people who can and do relate. I know the feeling.