I forgot to add in my reply, I am Bipolar-II(mild) I was DXed 7yrs ago, after a family issue triggered it, that is what I was told, that I had it but it obviously never emerged (from my genetics) until a major life event.
I've been on Lamictal for a few years, it's great for BP-II, where depression is more severe than hypomania/mania, that is all I have to take is 150mg per day, I had been on 200mgs but have been able to drop down to what my pdoc says is the lowest therapeutic level.
My oldest brother has Bipolar-I, when he was not on Lithium, which he has been on for over 30yrs, he would get extremely manic, violent at times too, his depressions weren't severe but some were.
Lithium saved him,and he's led a pretty stable life all these years. There are many meds out for individual needs, that can be adjusted or changed, so if you are DXed with Bipolar, don't feel doomed, there is hope.