I didnt get my Bipolar label until 43, so 10 years ago .. Looking back at my life? Bipolar was HUGE... I think in my case Id only seek help when really depressed , Id drag myself to a Pdoc and they would put me on an AD which would pop me back up out the hole and Id get tired of taking the pill down the road , dump it and be okay for a month or close to a year.. it varied..

My daughter was diagnosed at age 19.... 3 months after I was diagnosed.. Im glad she found out early,, I had decades of crap to process and learn how to let mistakes I made go, learn to find compassion for myself,. She made mistakes of course but she has built up alot of coping skills and has more self awareness, she does struggle with episodes of course

Lots of people think Bipolar is far over diagnosed, while I believe in many cases that it can be , But we have so much information at our finger tips people are seeking help sooner rather than later..

Im sorry you have gone through such loss, I cant imagine.

You will find tons of support here Welcome to PC