You've just been diagnosed. It takes some of us a long time to process things when we are told we have an incurable (but treatable) mental illness. I'm three years in and STILL have times when I minimize the seriousness of my bipolar or outright deny its existence, although being hospitalized last fall made it clear that this is not a game and I'm not making it up.

I do recommend that you learn everything you can about the disease and the methods used to treat it. Psych Central is an almost unlimited source of information on the illness for patients and the people who love them. And if you buy only one book on the subject, make it Bipolar For Dummies. I've referred to mine so often that I really need to buy a new one.

As lunaticfringe said above, do exactly as your doctor advises and if you disagree with the treatment plan, talk it over with him BEFORE you do anything else. Too many of us mess with our meds or stop taking them entirely, much to our own detriment, and these forums are filled with stories about what happened to members who have done so. I will say that SOME people can manage their illness without meds, and more power to them; but in the early going you really need to follow your doctor's instructions and get stabilized.

A diagnosis of bipolar is quite a challenge, and certainly one we would never have chosen were it up to us. But the truth is, you can live well and have a great life even with the disorder. It's all up to you.

Welcome aboard. ((((HUGS))))