I am 22 and I was recently diagnosed as Bipolar Type 2. Up until I was told I was Bipolar, I had always assumed I was just suffering from depression since I was originally diagnosed with depression when I was 15. My doctor is great, and really explained what I was dealing with very well. I never recognized it before, but looking back, and now, I can recognize my episodes.

My doctor recommended that I seek community with this, and since I don't know anyone personally that is also Bipolar, I came on here.

My hypo-mania is pretty intense. I always thought that my hypo-mania was just "good days". I am extremely energetic, on top of the world, I feel like I can do anything, I feel like I'm the most desirable person ever, I'm extremely social and confident, my mind races with thoughts and plans and ideas, so much so that I often catch myself making lists and writing out these extravagant plans for some adventure- usually a trip somewhere, or a new idea of what I want to do for the rest of my life.

My depression is the exact opposite as this, and looking back, it's almost humorous that I didn't recognize it knowing what I know now. I had heard of bipolar but I had never really known any details about it. I become extremely isolated. I shut everyone out. I am easily irritated and angered.

I'm hoping someone here can offer me some insight into how to deal with these sudden changes. My doctor has me set up to begin therapy in a couple of weeks after I've been on my medicine a while.

Now that I know I'm bipolar and how to recognize it and my episodes, it is really quite frustrating. It's almost like knowing has made it worse...

Thanks in advance.