I was 53 when I was diagnosed Bipolar NOS, and 55 when I received my bipolar 1 diagnosis so I know what it's like to be dx'ed late in life. But looking back, I've exhibited symptoms most of not all of my life...it was only when the disease escalated in my early 50s that it couldn't be ignored any longer.

Welcome to PC. And by the way, we've all made bad decisions, whether we're bipolar or not. BP just makes it worse.