Hi, I've posted in a couple places, but I don't think I've ever posted here.
I was first diagnosed bipolar 1 in 2006 and was treated for acute mania. I stayed compliant with meds for 6 months (with poor results) and then fired my pdoc and went into complete denial about the diagnosis.

I met a man who made me want to look into some of my issues so I could be "ready" for him. He is the first emotionally mature man I have ever managed to attract, and I wanted to be his equal, so I started going to therapy. Therapy made me realize I had more issues than I thought, so I went to see a pdoc, who initially treated me for anxiety. I failed to disclose the previous diagnosis because I was still totally in denial about it.

In a conversation with the man, he said, "honey, I think you have some seasons going on". Shortly thereafter, I was hit with one of the worst mixed episodes I've ever had. Contemplating suicide and having the energy to acctually accomplish it was scary, so I made an urgent appt with my pdoc, who agreed with the original dx of bipolar 1. He put me on meds. Lost my insurance, wound up with a different pdoc, who I am in the process of leaving for yet another (1st shrink was still tinkering with my meds, current will not change them, new one will). I'm still riding the med-go-round trying to find something that works, so bear with me on the verbal diarrhea please. I hate the holidays because I always seem to end up lonely in a crowded room, so here I am today, trying desperately to avoid letting another mixed state be a transition to catatonic depression (or worse, staying mixed).

I have a child, a cat, a garden, a bunch of instruments and lyrics, etc. Sorry for the long post.
Oh yeah, they also think I am comorbid with ADHD & GAD. Explains my whole life in a nutshell. lol I'm many kinds of nuts.