I'm nearly 29. My symptoms started when I was 13, but a lot of that was more trauma than anything else. I had a terrible year from 18-19 where bipolar really came into play along with the trauma. I ended up having ECT and going through intensive trauma therapy (5 days a week for six months). I thought I was fired because my symptoms all but disappeared. I would still get depressed but only for a few days. I didn't recognize hypomania back then so I can't say if I got that or not. If I did it didn't bother me and only lasted a few days.

Then I decided to have a child. After he was born I was a mess, mostly because he was colicky and I had to do my student teaching and it was awful. But I still don't remember getting depressed or hypomani so I was good for about six years. When I was 25 is when my symptoms flared up again and this time they were MUCH worse. Some of the worst depression I've ever had. And I had my first full blown mania and first psychotic episode. It's been a mess ever since, with two more rounds of ECT.

But, I have learned how to manage everything much better. So even though the symptoms are worse, I'm better at handling it. I don't think I would have even had such a severe depression though if my husband hadn't died. So once again trauma comes into play.

Everything is so complicated. But I still have hope for the future.