Here's the thing, we go so many years undiagnosed and have to come up with ways to cope with life before meds. Then when it becomes too much we seek help and are under the impression that meds will cure us. What the meds do is give us room to learn new coping mechinisms with a steady mood to back it up.

It is nothing to be ashamed about. Think about how successful you have been at life, even if it hasn't gone the way you expected it to... You made it to today and now you are working hard to get better.