Try not to be scared... any new dx is difficult but bipolar is a treatable condition and with the right meds and therapy you can lead a better life.... being in hospital can be good you can get more full time attention and get on track .... ((hugs)) polar

I'm bipolar2 - I wished I'd been diagnosed when I was 19.

But even with being diagnosed late in life by any standard I've had a pretty good life - it just would perhaps been a bit better had I got help earlier.

I was exhibiting symptoms in college and if I could go back in time, I WISH I had the help then that I needed so I wouldn't have gone through such difficulties starting out as a young adult....

I know it's scary but it's a journey well worth it, and there is good help to connect with. Wishing you well, and lots of support.

Hospitals are a safe place to adjust your medication. I've been in five times. It's confining and restructuring but it's a safe place to shut down and not worry about anything but yourself. Don't be afraid. Hospital was safe for me when I wanted to hurt myself and they really care about you

Hospital was a great experience for me, this last time. I found me ways of coping that therapy and the other two stays didn't. This was my first hospitalization with the bipolar diagnosis in place. I was there with quite a few bipolar people, and over the Christmas holiday at that. I got my meds adjusted several times, and got stable enough to go home. Of course my shit storm of a life was still there, I just had new ways to handle it.
The hospital could very well save and improve you.
Do you go to the hospital for a broken leg? How about a surgery? Why not to work on your brain? Bipolar is a medical condition, like diabetes.
Do what you need to do, for you to be happy

I'm 23 now but when I was 20-21 I was diagnosed with Bipolar type 2 (along with a few other things). It is indeed very scary at the time of what this means and also of the unknown, medications and stuff. Already said, hospitals are a safe place for us and are a good place to have med readjustments.

The dx just gives you a name for ^it^, along with a more constructive set of options on what to do about ^it^. Ditto for the hospitals. No, hospitals are not fun, but they, too, have allot of constructive options on what to do about ^it^.

Gentlest of support while you adapt to the Big Scare. I still ain't normal, but these days I am called, "Eccentric" more often than crazy.

And if you manage to find a "Normal" college student, please introduce me. I've been looking for one of them mythical Normies for a decades. Every time I think I've met one, I get to know them and discover once again that "Normal" just meant I didn't know them very well.

Hugs. I, too, wish I would've been diagnosed way before I was. I know this is scary. But it WILL be ok.

Welcome itstill...... A diagnosis is a good thing......I know it can be frightening however you now know what you are dealing with and that it's a treatable disorder
I've had 2 hospital admissions for a few weeks each time and they were both wonderful experiences in that the bipolar was brought under control fairly quickly

I made a choice a long time ago to take suicide off of the table.... I still have the thoughts at times ... even how I would do it but I now recognize that it's a symptom of a disorder that needs to be treated..... I think taking that approach is a gift that we can give anyone who loves us.... I know that it can be hard at times.... This is when we need medical attention

There is a lot of information on the net to help you as well bipolar groups and organizations..... xo

Afraid is not going to help.
http://www.dbsalliance.org has some free education on bipolar, including a free course that's online, and is for both those with the bipolar diagnosis and their friends and families. I'm still muddling my way through it, but it seems as it could be a good starting point for a lot of people with new and older DX.
Much of the stigma, fear, etc is usually because others don't know what to do it what to look for. Your people will be much more likely to know the signs than you, trust me.
It will all be OK. Training, therapy, and meds are essential now.
Keep us posted please

My life was a disaster until I was diagnosed at 31. My "craziness" had a name! Bipolar! The meds made such a difference and my hospitalizations were so helpful and caring. I got to learn who I really was and learned about resources and ways to make my life easier. It was the best thing that happened to me.

I wish I was diagnosed early myself..Took me awhile to get on the right meds after trying just about everything so don't get frustrated going through that process. It will be a relief for you when they find the right combo..good luck