N o need to freak. it is not like some disaster, it is just different. More than just mani versus hypo. So, maybe look into it a bit and see what you think about it.

I was misdiagnosed with major depression for nearly 6 years before I finally had a flagrant enough manic and psychotic episode and of course, wound up in the hospital. They thought I was "just" an addict with depression but really, I was using to try to manage untreated bipolar 1. Once I got on lithium, the addcition just completely disappeared. No problem in the least for 12 years now. The issue wasn't addiction, the issue was bipolar 1. So, it is actually almost the usual course for bp 1 patients for the ultimate and accurate diagnosis to sort of dribble out very sort of inelegantly, as it were. Sometimes, not very tidily.

One final word about that communication with the pdoc. Managing bp 1 is an art and a science, both. Keeping your pdoc fully and accurately informed with up-to-date symptoms reports is absolutely critical. If you try to round of the edges because you are embarrassed or worried your pdoc will freak or hospitlalize you or even commit you, that is often the road to disaster. I have been committed twice, by the way. Both, totally appropriate. We do not mention this a lot here on this site, but bipolar 1 is in my personal opinion not infrequently a fatal illness if not treated appropriately. Much better to go to the hospital for a few days than end up with a catastrophe, being prosecuted for some serious crime you committed while out of your mind. This is what happened to me. I had zero prior record of any kind, not even a speeding ticket. I caused a car crash while psychotic and injured someone. The DA was very excited about prosecuting a somewhat highish profile physician. Good for his image. Total a-hole Low IQ. I spent nearly five years in an extremely violent and dangerous state hospital. In many respects, it completely destroyed my life and everything in it. Permanently. I have not seen my precious son in 10 years as a result. I could go on all month...

I do not want you to ever, ever have to go through anything remotely resembling that. So, please, be candid about symptoms and call early and often.

Hugs!!!!!!!!!!!