Welcome freshlybipolar. I still remeber when I was diagnosed and I remember having the same type of feelings. It does take time to come to terms with the diagnosis, but the most important thing to remember is your aren't bipolar, you have bipolar. You're not mania or depression, that's the illness.

What helped me is educating myself about the diagnosis. My only experience with the illness was from growing up with my mom and this wasn't a positive experience. Through reading about the illness it gave me hope and inspiration to manage the illness.

I've done this list up and I hope it helps:
·Take meds as prescribed.

·Educate yourself on the illness.

·Be honest with your psychiatrist, GP, therapist etc.

·Get regular sleep, if you can't sleep ask for a prescription for sleep to be taken regularly or as needed.

·Eat properly i.e. avoid excess caffeine, junk food etc.

·Avoid alcohol.

·Avoid non-prescription drugs and/or drugs not prescribed to you.

·Exercise regularly.

·Set a routine for yourself i.e. getting up at the same time, going to sleep at the same time.

·Surround yourself with people that fill you up.

·Take time for yourself.

·Be patient. The med regime for many diagnosed does take time, but it's worth taking the time.

·Write in a journal especially with how you are feeling right now; that way if you ever considered going off meds it may help you make a better decision.

·Track your mood. Great free one online at http://www.medhelp.org/land/mood-tracker

·And finally remember you aren't your diagnosis. You have bipolar, you aren't bipolar.