Prescription drug advertising is a *moderately* recent development. Most of my life, there wasn't. I was appalled at first sight.

I'd had about 25 years of prolonged depression and (definite) hypomanic stretches before ever having been given an AD. So, not surprisingly, when given one, I went from lowest low to bouncing off the walls before 2 days were out.

In a sense, the AD experience did "lead" to the BP diagnosis, but only indirectly and as merely a speck amongst the real evidence. (And for many months, even that didn't happen, as the clueless GP didn't even recognize the need to re-evaluate her dx of MDD --despite immediate big red flag and having only "screened" for BP with 3 words ("so, no highs?" -- I had no clue what she was talking about). I didn't know why all hell was breaking loose, because I didn't know about BP at the time. When I did learn what it was, I cried. It was my life story. Thing after thing after thing came back in waves. My (Pdoc) dx did come quickly at that point, but it had decades of clear-cut evidence behind it, with other explanations ruled out. And was rather amusingly confirmed at a later appt. at which I was sit-bouncing on the couch, talking a mile a minute, scoffing at the idea of meds. Imagine her lack of surprise at my desperate call about a month later when the bottom was falling out hard and fast.

Thing is, that despite decades of textbook symptoms (that indeed were very problematic in my life), I'd dodged the psychiatric system (many, many years without a GP or insurance of any kind either.). As the older folks here can attest, there was a giant rug under which all things psychiatric that could possibly be swept, WERE swept, thankyouverymuch. Also, I moved a lot and didn't keep contact, so who's going to notice a pattern, or have my "normal" to compare to? (except my ex, who can vouch for a book's worth. BF not only suggested my ex be nominated for sainthood, but would also love a good story-swappin' session. Lol.)

As for health stuff... A bit underweight. No eating issues. Soda, I've recently gotten into having a can most days. For many, many years didn't, and as a kid it was a treat for sure. I ate super-healthy for a decade or so, to mostly healthy, to… not so much, but not terrible. In severe depression, it's pretty bad if no one looks out for me.