It confirmed what I already pretty much knew, so I was relieved that I was getting the right help for myself. I had my first Bipolar episode around age 15, and some signs were probably there earlier. My mother did not want to take me to a therapist, since her upbringing is kind of "pick yourself up by your own boot straps." I only went to a few sessions, and that was the extent of my treatment until adulthood.

Around age 19, my primary care had me on antidepressants, only because he did not have expertise in that area, so he figured we'd give it a shot, which was the wrong thing, because I became manic from the AD. Then, I went to a real Psychiatrist, which is when I was formally diagnosed. I had studied Psychology prior to that, as a desperate attempt to at least explore what was wrong with me. Finally, I was able to get the proper care that I needed.