Welcome to DS we are all a great bunch of crazy characters. Very helpful and resourceful. Any probs you have im sure there will be plenty of people to help you out :))

I can totally relate to the feeling down even after getting the diagnosis. I was diagnosed in June and they are still adjusting my meds. It is tough because the meds can have some very unpleasant side effects. Then when the meds aren't yet right, you're still dealing with the mania and depression too, so it is like a double whammy. It's gotten a bit better for me, but it's still tough. I am fairly new, but I will tell you that this site has been a Godsend. I've learned more here from the "veterans" of BP than anywhere else online or in print or from any professional. I encourage you to read as much as you can. Find a few folks on here who have years of experience that can be helpful, and ask them questions, send them messages, etc. I will help as much as I can, but I am still very new to this whole thing. In many ways you are totally alone, as you say, because, in my opinion, no one can truly understand how you feel unless they have this disorder. That's why I swear by DS. You will find a lot of openness here, which I appreciate. And sometimes we joke around a lot, but I feel that's just our way of coping with tough circumstances. Anyway, welcome to DS and to the wild world of having bipolar disorder.

Hugs,
Karen