I've been depressed as far back as my memories go. I started causing problems in class from the start. I would deal with severe bouts of insomnia that came out of nowhere and then would sleep a lot a few weeks later. From looking at my journal and now recognizing my BP traits, my first documented manic episode happened when I was seventeen. It was pretty bad according to my writing and a little recollection. A lot of drinking, random partying and committing meaningless crime. I didn't sleep for almost six days straight during this time. However, I was officially diagnosed in September.