Welcome to DS! Thanks for sharing. This a great support group. I've been around since 2007.

Hi Dino. Welcome to DS. Sorry for what brings you here, but glad you are here.

I am an old digi-warhorse who has been dreaming of on-line forums since I met my first point-to-point circuits in 1974. What a long, strange trip that has been and continues to be. Most of my therapy support network is still live, but the on-line forums are starting to look viable. Maybe even sustainable. I agree with your assessment that the sense of community here on DS seems to be much stronger than the other on-line forums I have encountered.

Of course, not all the DS forums are equal in that regard. Some of the forums here move so slowly that it is hard build any sense of community. I am a child sex trafficking survivor, so I spend most of my time in the PTSD forum, but my Bi-polar symptoms are intense enough that I lurk here on a regular basis.

welcome! I cannot be around much but will stop in when I can!

Hi all!

Still timidly trying to contribute where i can, absolute agree Arfie where you mention things can run a little slow if people aren't online.

So sorry to hear what you've been through. Your resilience through that and the mental health struggles is very admirable. Thank you for sharing

HI and Welcome Dino... I was initially diagnosed with depression and anxiety as well and then the BP gave me a nip.... Acceptance is a great gift to you... When you accept it you don't fight against it but do what you need to in order to find stability and you will...
We have a treatable disorder .. It just takes a little time... I'm glad you found us... Big hug....x

Hi Dino...Welcome aboard!

welcome and i hope you find all the connections you need here on DS. it is a wonderful forum which i have been on since 2008. it is great to have a place to go to where everyone understands the issues we face on a regular basis including the bias and ignorance. good to meet you.

Hi Dino, glad to see you have joined us. My experience is the same as yours. First diagnosis was anxiety and depression, then 10 years later got the BP diagnosis.
Acceptance is key then you can own it instead of it owning you! Good to have you here.

I am really struggling with idea of accepting myself, but these conversations are helping a lot. I'm trying start at step 1, and realise I'm not alone. You tell yourself that, but it's been hard to believe until you hear other people's stories and tales.

Reading these comments has been a good way to start the day, thanks everyone!

hope today is good too! hugs

Welcome, I have I have been here for over 6 years and the support is most definitely here. I have generalized anxiety disorder and BP. I started to have auditory hallucinations in 2008. I was hospitalized 3 times. It took a few years to get rid of the voices. I had them all the time. I am going through depression right now and probably need a med tweak. Glad you accept the disorder.

Welcome to the forums. I'm also recently diagnosed with BP. Before that they thought it was just regular anxiety & depression too. Also cool name, is this in reference to the Dino riders cartoon from the 80's 90's??

Susieq, glad you're here. I'm in Australia, so, next time things feel hectic just know there's someone on the opposite side of the planet that is hoping to hell you feel alright soon

Also, definitely a reference to the cartoon haha

Welcome, Dino! I too was diagnosed with depression first (1991). I was given the Bipolar diagnosis in 1995. I've been in different psych wards 9 times. After all that I am finally learning to accept the diagnosis as a part of who I am. Glad you accept the diagnosis so openly.