Hello all, my title says it all. Today I was diagnosed as being bipolar. I'm not quite sure what to do with this or how to process this diagnosis or what this means for me and my life now. I have had anxiety and panic attacks since 2008 and I do take medicine which has it under control (I can't even remember the last time I had a full blown panic attack). When diagnosed it didn't effect me much at all I just thought, "Well, that explains a lot. Moving on." But being told I am bipolar is something I am having trouble swallowing. Maybe it is the stigma? Maybe because I was in a relationship with someone who has bipolar and I just don't see the same qualities in me or maybe I am in denial? Any way I look at it im having a difficult time with this.

I have been prescribed two medicines, Effexor and Seroquel. The Seroquel I will take tonight. My psychiatrist said to take it at 6pm but in my past relationship I do remember my ex taking seroquel later at night due to the effects of drowsiness. Should I take it at 6 or closer to my bedtime when I would normally fall asleep on the nights I actually did sleep?

Any help or advice or...anything at all would be greatly appreciated as I sit here trying to process this information and how to tell my mom that I have this mental health disorder.

Thank you