Mine came out of the blue in 9th grade. I had a very bad depressive episode that lasted 4 years.

I had no symptoms in my 20's and 30's, maybe some hypo mania.

I had a depressive episode in my late 30's. But I still wasn't diagnosed. I have been on a roller coaster since that episode in my late 30's. It took a number of years to be correctly diagnosed as Bipolar 1. I had a great career as a system analyst in the computer field doing medical research.

I tried to keep my job, but I could not handle the stress. I am on long term disability, Private and SSDI.

The doctors at John Hopkins Hospital, number 1 in the country for bipolar disorder, told me I have the worst case of rapid cycling they have ever seen.