well, i'm an old-timer female bp2 who's now 65 yrs. of age and got my diagnosis in my 30s. am married a 2nd time for 27 yrs. so my 2nd hubby has lived w/this disorder for almost as long as i've been diagnosed. my suggestion is to become as informed as you can and be medication compliant, and for most, we it's trial and error til we find the right combo of meds. i have little or no depression but my mania includes agitation and irritability. and i have anxiety. for me, my bipolar has gotten worse over the years (kindling effect) but i know exactly what my triggers are which create more mania, i.e., stress, loud music and lights (las vegas kills me) and travel w/time zone changes. over the years i've become completely honest and open about having this disorder and w/the help of meds. and therapy, i feel i am no more screwed up than the average person w/a diagnosis other than bipolar. we are all unique and i have many qualities that i consider a plus: humor, charisma, insight, and the mania lets me appear to be more outgoing than i really am. i know and have learned how to stabilize. 10 years ago my crohns/colitis got out of hand and have been on a chemo drug which has kept me in remission. i require a daily nap due to the fatigue that the chemo drug causes, but you just learn to live with whatever it is you have, whether it's bipolar or needing daily naps from the chemo meds. you adapt and hopefully you come to accept and probably there are other members in your family to had/have bipolar but maybe have never been diagnosed properly or have used drugs/alcohol to medicate some of the highs or lows. i feel people are more drawn to me because i'm open and honest w/them and have a pretty good understanding how what my triggers are and how to stay stable. sometimes it's not easy on me or my hubby, but we just deal with. good luck.