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1. I spent over 40 years undiagnosed and then misdiagnosed. My episodes got longer and more severe over the years.
2.Pretty much equal instances of both, but the depressions were really long and severe (which led to my being misdiagnosed with MDD.)
3. Always up and down, with brief periods of stabliity in between.
4. More the gradual realization, I guess. Things kept getting worse and worse even with treatment with SNRI's. My last depression was 2 years long, and I was a year into it before I sought treatment. Fortunately I was treated by a crackerjack PNP who recognized me as bipolar II.
5. In a word the effects were devastating, as you might imagine with 40 years of no diagnosis, and then erroneous diagnosis. I eventually ended up homeless, since I'd quit yet another job and my wife couldn't deal with it anymore. We later reconciled and she is a great support for me today.
6. AD's inevitably made me hypomanic.
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Dx Bipolar II 2014 -- currently in remission
Stay calm, be kind, have hope, love lots, and be well.
"Listen to the deep voice of your soul. Do not be distracted by the voice of your mind." -- Caitlin Matthews[/B][/COLOR][/SIZE]
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