22...neuropsychologist thought I was Cyclothymic but sent me to a psychiatrist who said-no your severely adhd..and left it at that. He treated me for one year only then dismissed me to my family doctor- who did not feel comfortable treating me. So I went 11 years with an inadequate diagnosis..spiraling out of control. The neuropsychologist was correct I believe now and as my life went on I believe the diagnosis of Cyclothymia progressed all the way up to Bipolar 1. At age 30 is where I can look back and see the first high mania. After first daughter was born the high mania bipolar episodes starting rapid cycling. It was at 33 that I finally got the bipolar 1 with mixed episodes. Now at 44 I am much more under control, not because the illness got better, but because of committed recovery and acceptance.

I only have 1 child... Was listening to a tv show that said first daughter and it came out in my message here! Lol

I was diagnosed with BP at 36 however I had be struggling with depression and anxiety since my early 20's

I'm bipolar 1 high mania. full blown episode. I feel miserable, dire need of medication and sleep.

32.Was originally diagnosed with dysthymia,then my pdoc prescribed Prozac,which made me manic. From that she decided I was bipolar,although now,my umpteenth pdoc says I have schizoaffective disorder.So we'll say I have schizoaffective disorder,bipolar type.

Hmmm, I was diagnosed last year so I was 19. My diagnosis hasn't changed from cyclothymia but I suspect it will when I meet with the psychiatrist.

I was just approaching 57 when I was finally diagnosed properly (now 62). My Pdoc was honest with me saying that because of my rapid cycling we were more than likely going to have to work hard and long to find the right meds or combo to help even me out. Plus I have had to learn coping skills to do my part in the recovery process (meds can't do it all). That was overwhelming at first, but I've had some great people, Pdoc, therapist (tdoc), an author/educator, and my husband, help me along the way. This site is a great help too. Take heart, the more you are willing to learn and put into action, the better it gets. It's not always easy, but you learn to ride the waves. Learning when to reach out for help is important too. I'm glad you are here. We'll all help you where we can.

I had suffered from anxiety and depression since I was a kid...but I was diagnosed bipolar when I was 27.

I was officially DX at 52.

Although I showed traits of BP since my early 20's.

Mostly hypo-mania

Did anybody have a problem with alcohol too? I binge badly every month it seems.

I was dx with depression and anxiety when I was 19 after a hospitalisation for an OD ...had highs and lows since about 14 tho..... was dx manic depressive when they increased an AD I was on a low dose of and I went manic when I was 37.. now 44... been on a fair few meds.... not sure where I am atm... lots of hypomania... some mania... and very small doses of depression.... mixed with grief at the loss of a loved one

I had a huge drinking career..... especially when younger.. it's how I self medicated... did some crazy things when smashed.... how I'm still here is a mystery.... I drink ocassionally now... and as long as I stay off the hard stuff and just have beer I'm fine

if you binge every month I would suggest getting some sort of professional help for it... when I was like that it never ended well

I think I was 35, right after I had my now eight yo, but had gone thru years of major depression. Stable on meds now.

My pdoc is still debating bw cyclotymia and BP 2, I'm 25.

I think that there are many reasons why it's overwhelming when you're first diagnosed:
1. You learn you have a long-term, chronic illness for which you need medication
2. Something happened for you to be diagnosed!! Presumably either depression or mania, so you're recovering from or still going through that too!
3. You're meeting new docs and talking about things you've maybe never talked ab before
4. The self-judgement that goes with getting this dx
5. Figuring out what to tell other people
6. Wondering how long you've been like this

There's prob more that I could list, but the point is, of course you're overwhelmed! Take a deep breath, one step at a time. Get rest and feeling better now, deal with the next steps after. ((hugs))

I was 31. I had a major depressed episode at age 6. I thought docs would never figure out what was wrong with me. I was thrilled when my "angel" pdoc found the problem! Meds saved my life.

Thank you everyone for your honesty, I must say it's been horrible 7 days. You all are pulling me through this. I'm still very high mania and I'm exhausted to say the least. I keep making horrible choices and yelling, demanding, being the least desirable person, making a total butt out of myself. Then all those bills oh my word. What a roller coaster ride. Ok, one more question...I have insomnia, and I feel just horrible, guilty, ashamed, brain fuzz, don't want to do anything, not even eat. What am I feeling and how can I calm down to sleep? Thanks again, for every single one of you! (((((hugs)))))