I'm 64 and diagnosed two or so years ago, I have BPII. The medications changed my life for much better. I have been slow to tell anyone other than one best male friend (I'm male) and brother and sister. In my small (25K) town, word travels fast. Others may have found out. I gave up all alcohol, drugs, smoking and would never start back because it would only destroy what my medications do. I did not ever understand what was wrong with me, or why I did certain things the way I did, until seeing a psychiatrist. I have always kept to myself, and maybe even more now. After all I am not out at any of the bars. Psych Central has been important to me, and lets me know I am not alone. Among the 25K in my small town, certainly there are more, but I do not know any.