I am 37 and was diagnosed almost three years ago. I didn't take that diagnosis seriously so I went another few months before I sought help. I lived from the age of 19 (though I suspect earlier) with ups and downs and never knew it was a problem. College was great for the first two years because I think I was hypomanic. After school was done I just thought I was lazy for quitting more than 50 jobs, and I never knew why I always wanted to move to a new apartment. I think I thought that moving would fix what I was feeling. I have been hospitalized 6 times since my diagnosis and probably should have been a few times pre diagnosis. I do look back at my 20s and early 30s and sometimes feel that I lost those years, but I am in treatment now and I hope that my future will be better.