Good morning everyone.

I am wondering how many of you had suspected bipolar disorder before your doc had diagnosed it? I have never been to inpatient, but i had become obsessed with studying psychology. I found myself relating to the stories and descriptions of bipolar. This drove me into a deep depression. I had been being treated for depression for a few years without (medical) success. I'd still frequent either mixed or hypomanic states, but the anti depressant did nothing for my lows.

When i went in to my family doc, he had confirmed it (since my father is most likely bp as well). He sent me to the psychiatrist, and i was put on bp meds.

How many people suspect bp before the doc? When i feel well, i tell myself i made up the whole thing because i read about it first. Please tell me i'm just paranoid! The docs in my town have a bad reputation, so this adds to my paranoia about my own self dx before the docs.