I was 23 when I was hit with my first major depressive episode. Six months later was admitted to the psych hospital and diagnosed as MMD. Was managed with anti-depressants fairly well, having to be changed quite often due to they quit working. Had my first manic episode when I was 49. Admitted to a psyh hospital and was diagnosed at that time as bipolar 1. Have been up and down since. Mostly down. The doctor can't find anything that really works to bring me out of my depression.