Before I had what I call my crash and burn period (6 weeks of depression, High anxiety, and racing thoughts) my initial symptoms started with anxiety 6-7 years earlier with panic attacks. Started for no reason, just hit, if it happened at work somehow I made it through them, at home I just laid down and prayed I wouldn't die. Then 2-3 years after that I started with what they call now SAD, Seasonal Affective Disorder, being depressed starting in the fall season. Sought help and survived on anti-depressants during the winter months mainly October thru March. Then in the summer of 1995 the crash and burn period started, it only lasted 6 weeks because I couldn't take it any longer, I couldn't take it any longer. Went to psy doc and got treated and received dx. I never really accepted my dx. and im paying for it now. My bipolar has gotten worse over the years. Hope this helps..Best of luck finding your way. It can be awfully confusing at times...