I was nearing the end of my freshman year of college when I was diagnosed. For years I had dealt with depression and mild psychosis, though I didn't know it. I just thought that I was a weak person...The depression eventually got to the point where I decided to get help for it. I started seeing a therapist weekly, and soon I was referred to a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist diagnosed me with bipolar II. I went home for the summer and saw another psychiatrist, who agreed with the bipolar II diagnosis. My parents insisted that I see another psychiatrist, who was recommended by my primary care doc, who again confirmed the diagnosis.

There wasn't anything particularly stressful going on in my life when I was first diagnosed, other than the stresses of adjusting to college. My first depression at age 12 may have been triggered by stress, however; I had had surgery that summer, and my best friend distanced herself from me when I returned to school. Soon it seemed that no one was interested in being my friend, though that may have been a delusion.