Doesn't it feel like the world has stopped when you hear "bipolar"?

I had multiple depressions starting at age 17. I think I had my first hypomania at 21, but there could have been some earlier. I don't think it was full on mania, people who hadn't known me before thought I was a normal person. The mental health counselor at the university also thought I was normal and sent me on my way. HA! I ended up with a dysphoric hypomania that was horrible. (Ask me about that some other time)

Did your meds person put you on a mood stabilizer? Lithium, Lamictal, depakote, etc? Mood stabilizers are the only things helping me without causing hypomania. (ask me about the Zoloft incident of 2009 sometime). If not I would ask your meds person why not?

I wish you luck with your family. Just tell yourself, "they are crazier than me....".