I'm actually the one who went to my doctor and told her that I thought I had it. She had been treating me for depression with an antidepressant (general practitioner) and the cycling was out of control. I finally did some research and found that not only was the cycling from the antidepressant typical for bipolar, but I also had the history to back it up. She agreed and I was finally connected with a pdoc. The pdoc also confirmed the diagnosis and I haven't looked back since.

Now, when I was finally diagnosed, I was in such bad shape that I went on disability. Over the next three years, I was able to find the right meds and learn how to manage this beast. I went back to work for seven years, with just a few blips on the radar. At the seven year mark, though, I crashed into a bad depression and realized that I just couldn't do it anymore, not just because of the bipolar, but also due to some bad dissociation.

So, even though I'm back on disability now, I still consider myself a success. The fact that I've survived this long and am able to care for my family with the severity of my episodes makes me a success.