Hey everyone,

I have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder type 1 around 6 days ago. I have had some blood taken recently to begin lithium in the next 6-9 weeks. I live in the UK so under the care of the NHS, I am just coming out of a major depressive episode which is rather refreshing to actually be clear headed

I am here as I have so many questions, when I was diagnosed by the mental health team we went through everything and my history of up, down, left and right mood. My last real episode of mania was start of 2015, I didn't even know I was manic until my money was gone and everyone ran away!

So my questions are mostly for people with experience of this condition, I would be extremely grateful for advice. I ran out of time with the mental health team so couldn't ask all the questions I needed.

1) I am currently getting extremely agitated like I want to go run but at the same time want to sleep. Is this something I should be seeing as a red flag?

2) How do I know when I am manic? I know when I am depressed as I feel terrible and can't wake up. During high energy phases I have no idea it's going on until people say I am talking rapidly.

3) What's the outlook like? Now that I am diagnosed and to start mood stabilising treatment is it possible I could never be depressed again?

4) Will lithium make me sick? I don't really want to take any meds and wondering what other options there are.

Thanks for taking the time to read. It's all very confusing and rather difficult to accept the diagnoses.