Don't tell anyone. People don't "get it" and might be turned off by it. Wait until you're comfy w/it.
It's really just like any other illness. Your brain chemicals are not working as they should that's all. Thereby creating mood swings. So you need meds to stay "stable". There are thousands of us here, we can help you with this.
Bipolars are just like everyone else, only more intersting!
No, there is no test to tell. But you said you had MAJOR emotional highs & lows...BINGO!

The main thing is you are going to P-doc. I don't know if there is a medical way to diagnose BP. It seems to be diagnosed by a Pdoc who asks you specific questions about your feelings and mood levels. I may be simpilzing this. Others will have more experience in the answer.

my docs tested for everything else including an MRI to make sure it wasnt some bizzare tumor or something and concluded if it aint something else it must be bipolar

who give a hoot what the label is...you are who you are and feel like you feel....

dont get bogged down with diagnosisisises (i cant spell that)...just be who you are and work on yourself...

i see too many people on here that speak of their diagnosis as if it was west nile virus...like you caught it...and that is not the case...you have been this way for a while, maybe forever, and now you are going to treat you how you need to be treated...

dont worry about the diagnososessess....you are going to do great, and feel better because you seem to be willing to work hard!

as for the telling people thing...that will come with time....people here on ds can help with that...

dont get overwhelmed...

(who do i think i am giving people advice when i can't even get off my couch!!!) - just kidding...

good luck

I forgot that... having your Dr eliminate any physical ailments first is important.

I have always know my whole life that something has been worng. I tried to commit suicide when I was 15 and that was the first time that I really knew something was wrong. I get so angry that I hit myself and pull my hair out and the next day I am estatic. Sometimes it happens in the same day. I cant sleep my mind always races. I am always frustrated and then if one little good things happens I ride the feeling as far as I can.
I dont want to offend anyone with anything I say so I am sorry for saying I dont want anyone to know but I know myself that when I heard bipolar I thought, well tI hey are nuts. I am embarassed to say it but its the truth and now look.
I do feel nuts sometimes thought. Like I am really going crazy. I have never been able to explain it.

Angiekins - feel free to offend. I do it all the time. I just ignore the death threats now.

you just explained it...
you did a great job

keep writing, use your journal..
there is no right or wrong way to explain how you feel

you are going to be so amazed at how many people feel almost exactly how you feel..it is comforting

thank you all! I think its first day shock. I was just really surprised by it.

soon those shocked thoughts will turn to relief...

you will be cared for and treated in the right way...

that made me smile...

i like being a breath of fresh air....

full of air is how i feel sometimes though

i write these pretty amazingly inspiring responsed to people, then i look at myself, smell myself, think about myself and i wonder why i cant help myself like i help others.

really weird.
storm..you use the strangest words, i like them but dont understand most of them. must be the same as when i say that i am wicked excited

unh....you're at work right?

dobie - you are drinking milk and eating snack treats while not smoking, right?

actually I'm ready for my 2nd cup of coffee. Then I will eat the ONE remaing package of funny bones.
Then I will ....something. SOmething useful.
I did do the dishes!!! Not bad huh?

angie....we tend to fool around a bit...and it is not to diminish your concerns or feeling, it is to make ourselves feel better and hopefully others join in

some people here like to fight, but we believe in peace, love, earth, hope, birds, babies, puppies, pizza