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After almost 20 years of various diagnoses, medications, and therapy that just didn't work, I was relieved to be diagnosed with bipolar. Being on a mood stabilizer gave me stability that I just didn't have before.
I knew I was "different" from the age of 5. There had been a lot of other things going on (child abuse, bullying, etc.) that nobody cared to know. As I got older and stumbled my way through life, other things happened (domestic violence, etc.) and the diagnoses were based on those things. It wasn't until I had an emotional breakdown, lost my job, and couldn't function at 47 that I was diagnosed with bipolar. By then the damage was done. Now I have physical issues from previous medications. I cannot get a job and I'm on disability.
Despite all that, I keep a more optimistic view of my life. I do what I can to take care of myself and help others if possible. I got 2 out of 3 things I wanted in life when I was 17 so I'm good with that.
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