Hi thatrez. I have probably had bipolar most of my life and should have been diagnosed at age 20, but instead it happened at age 29 when things got particularly out of hand. How I manage is not very well recently. But when I am doing well I do the same things I do now...keep my mind preoccupied with tasks, exercise (long walks and pacing), take my meds and vitamin/mineral supplements, read books about bipolar and depression, go to therapy, listen to my doctors. Sometimes no matter what you do, though, the chemistry or past baggage comes up and blindsides you. That's where I am now. Still doing all the right things, still feeling terrible, but know I would feel worse if I didn't keep on doing them. But I'm glad you're all here.