Diagnosed Bipolar II (depression and hypomania's) 9 years ago, and Bipolar I 4 years ago after a full-blown manic episode (not my first, looking back). I'm 45 now.

About 14 years ago, when I was still dx'd with depression, I asked my pdoc of the time about Bipolar; he said (in quotes because I'll never forget it) "People are finding Bipolar under every rock these days, any other psychiatrist would have diagnosed you Bipolar a long time ago."

I think he felt proud of himself and the uniquely smart one not to have diagnosed me at that time (he did years later). Meanwhile, I was on low dose AD's which, looking back, sent me into rapid cycling episodes (not rapid cycling anymore since Bipolar tx). Of course there was also situational depression at times, and boatloads of anxiety, and none of this was properly treated (he was supposed to be my therapist as well, but was very unhelpful in that respect). I should have changed pdocs, but I liked his anecdotes...And I figured he knew what he was doing, he was a pdoc after all and I was naïve about these things.

Well, thanks a lot pdoc for putting your ego before my dx and tx.