I was diagnosed with anxiety-driven Bipolar 2 disorder about four years ago after having been treated for anxiety/depression and PTSD for about ten years. I didn't believe my doctor at first because I didn't feel like I had big mood swings, and I definitely don't have the manic symptoms that some of you have to deal with. Instead I'm anxious almost all the time and tired nearly all the time. Only two to three times have I been able to stay awake for 24 hours, while trying to get my sleep schedule back to normal.

I think if I went back to high school days, though, I probably had bigger mood swings. My older sister thinks I did. It wasn't until I was 21 that I started to have bad insomnia issues, though, and sleep problems.

Being put on Lithium by that doctor, though, made a huge difference for me. So I haven't argued with him. Not sure that I care what it's called as long as I have a doctor who knows how to help me, but I am still curious if there's anyone out there who has symptoms more like mine (primarily anxiety and fatigue.)

My family didn't believe the bipolar diagnosis, either, because I don't really have a temper.