I can't believe someone else has had this experience!! I too am so ashamed of it, and anxious to tell anyone I know for fear they will never believe anything I say about anything (I have since developed an obsessive need to be really honest about everything, even when it doesn't matter).

Also, my mother - who is a very good mom, but emotionally rather cold/not very affectionate (the opposite of me) - was with a man before I was born who had what sounds like extreme bipolar (as in he would be wandering around in a psychosis for days) so that's her idea of what it is and she's always acted really skeptical about my many diagnoses, "well if that idea helps you to deal with your moods" - that sort of attitude (drives me crazy!!). My father, on the other hand, has had major depressions that sent him to the hospital throughout my childhood...though he's never been diagnosed bipolar, I've always wondered since he is a very successful artist and I watch him go into crazy bursts of productivity.

Anyway, I'm so very curious to hear more about your story. I seriously have never met anyone who shared this...I know that it was about attention when younger, but I'm not sure why it manifested this way. Also wondering what your bipolar symptoms are like? I'm feeling very 'normal' today so, yet again, am thinking I was overreacting and feeling silly about it...