I have had BP as far back as I can remember. I was either depressed or Hypo-manic. I knew I was different, but had no idea what was wrong. Had a severe depression when I was 16, then cycled up and down for years. When I went to the Hospital for tests I was told I was a hypochondriac, it was in the early seventies. I was sent for a few 8 hour glucose tolerance tests. LOL When I was 21 I checked into Oregon State Mental Hospital in Salem Oregon. I was totally manic, it was 3 am so they gave me a knock out sleeping pill. I was there for 6 month's and they DX'd me with a anger Proplem. LOL In my twenties I was treated for my extreme anxiety and panic attacks with Valium. I spent most of my 20's rapid cycling. I did try drinking alcoholically for 3 years in my mid 20's, bad results. Got sober at 28, and a year later mis-DX'd with depression. Treated with SSNI, antidepressant. I started cycling higher and the med brought up my depression, so I spent more time in hypo-mania than depression. Built a nice business. Slept 3 to 4 hours a night, for 5 years, got a lot accomplished. Finally had my breakdown when I was 43, I spent 6 weeks with no sleep, spent 280 thousand on charge cards opening businesses over the phone, in all the time zones. Don't remember much of it. MY primary care doc DX'D me, tried to medicate me and I was off to Bankruptcy court. I stayed with my primary care doc way too long, with high doses of depokote and wellbutrin, he refused to treat my anxiety. My first 5 years were horrible. I got a Psychiatrist in 2000, and after many medication changes and adjustments I feel I am finally stable. I am on the depression side of the scale, And get my meds adjusted when I get manic which for me is a lot of mixed states and very little euphoria, which I miss terriblly. I have went on SSDI, live 600 yards from the Ocean and have simplified my life totally.