I wanted to believe that the times in my life when I was manic or hypomanic where the real me- outgoing, happy, energetic, spontaenous, fun, risk taker. What I didnt want to see, and did not see in that state was that sleeping fitfully 2 hours a night, eating very little, losing weight rapidly, making rash decisions, mind going 80 miles an hour, doing inappropriate things, and bouncing off the walls were what I was actually doing.
I accepted the depression diagnosis, because I was seeking treatment for depression. I was treated for it for years, switching meds periodically as one stopped working, then another.
Finally, I went to a new pdoc who listened carefully and gently suggested the possibility of bipolar 2. Over time and medication changes, it became clear that it was correct. It really took hindsite for me to realize that I had some manic/hypomanic stages in which I made some big mistakes. Once I was properly medicated, I saw that I created a divorce and remarriage that was rooted in mania.
I made some mistakes and did things I am not proud of and that are not me.

I never cared with the label was. All I wanted was to get it fixed. And once my mood was stabilized and I looked back, I saw times when it had happened all the way back to high school. I am sad I went through many more years before being properly treated.