Thanks.

Yeah I mean knowing what I know now, if I had met someone acting the way I did while manic I definitely would have thought that they were on speed or something. I had people point blank ask me, "How *****ed up* are you right now?" more than once.

Initially medication did not help me, I started treatment for the first time at the peak of a manic episode and despite trying different combinations of drugs and dosages I ended up being hospitalized about 3 months later. After getting out of the hospital I went unmrficcated for about 6 months and fell into a pretty bad depression. now I'm on lithium and it seems to be working well for me so far but I think this also has to do with some very positive lifestyle changes I've made recently as well (quit abusing alcohol, got back on proper exercise regimen, healthier diet, etc.)