Thanks guys - I wasn't aware that people with Bipolar could remain stable, for a period of nearly 10 years, without any medication, so this is definitely an eye opener and food for thought.

I wonder why the doctors never mentioned the prospect of Bipolar after my second episode last year? Sometimes I wish they would have just diagnosed me with it, or something else, as at least I'd know what I was dealing with and could learn to accept it.

They didn't even seem to label my ordeal as a 'manic episode' and seemed to think that extreme stress and smoking weed had caused my mind to start misinterpreting reality and become delusional. I felt like a manic episode to me though, as all the classic signs were there.

My short term goals are to find a new career, that is fulfilling and will hopefully build my confidence back off and take my mind off last years events. I'm currently on the 'reserve list' for a work coach role, that I passed the assesment for, so fingers crossed I get an offer soon.