Wow! I could have written your exact same post- except I am 39 and got dx at 37 after first being dx with eating disorder at 13, depression at 17, and then taking anti-depressants every so often until I finally saw a pdoc 2 years ago.

My good news for you is that I did graduate college (at age 30 bc I took time off), I have been married to a great guy for 17 years and I have 2 kids. It is all possible.

I have awful mood swings now that I am trying to figure out and it is hard having a family and working etc. but it can be done.

I also am always questioning am I happy, sad, or is it the bp. I also get discouraged knowing this will be a life long battle.

As for accepting/separating from the bipolar, the others here gave great answers