Hi JaneBeans

Good to see you on this forum. Thank you.

Just to add personal thoughts in addition to what has already been stated quite succinctly above.

Another thing, I really don't want to be on meds. Drs have tried giving me meds for depression for years and I've always refused them and now I might have to. But do I really? Can I just manage this without meds? What will happen if I don't.

Some people do. Some people don't. I know people who are med free. And do quite well. BUT. I need to point out to you that they have VERY strong strategies in place for maintaining a lifestyle that helps achieve stability as much as "may be warranted for diagnosis" and incredibly strong support mechanisms in place for mood episodes.

I personally, will be on meds. This will not be something I shall change in the forseeable future. Simply because. I learnt first hand. How DANGEROUS it is when I fall during depression and I'm not on meds.

I've never been full blown manic, as far as I know, but she diagnosed me as bipolar 1 because the hypomania has gone on for nearly a week at a time. But then does that mean that I'll eventually reach full mania?

Okay. This confused me completely.

I am NOT a medical professional. So I state this quite firmly below on personal opinion.

You only achieve BP1 diagnosis of BP1 (as opposed to BP2) if you've had a manic episode. It's got nothing to do with the duration. So please go back to your doctor and ask for clarification.

And will I eventually get Alzheimer's?

Please discontinue watching fake Hollywood Bogus Films Immediately! Haha jk. No. You will not necessarily get Alzheimers JUST because you are Bipolar. This is not the case. Even if studies have found a loose correlation. It is definitely not true for all. At all. Please banish this fear.

Maybe no one will even really read this.

You should get responses to posts here under the Bipolar Forum.

Nice to meet you!