I learnt I have this illness myself over time by understanding and writing down my experiences and talking with others. But when I tried to get official diagnosis and seek professional help through mental health service, I didn't manage to convince the professionals that what I have is severe and challenging for me on own. I had sev assessments, saw psychiatric nurses and psychiatrists but was none of them agreed that I have Bipolar Disorder. They said I have mild to moderate depression. The last diag was Cyclothemia which is mild form of Bipolar when people have short periods of depression and hypomania but don't get severe episodes. Well, I do, have had severe episodes. And I have been affected by illness for years.