I had been diagnosed as depressed for 20 yrs. I would go on and off antidepressants and the depression would return. I was probably hypomanic for years and didn't know it.

Then I had a few days of steroids for a medical problem and became manic. I saw a different p-doc and thought I had cyclothymia and she said nope- bipolar 1.

It was a relief. It explained so much. I have had all the symptoms of hypomania and mania for all of my adult life. I just didn't know what it meant.

It has taken a few years, but I accept it now.