Well, actually, I've been seeing him for four years... and I promise, he's not a quack - he was chief resident in psychiatry (like eight or ten years ago). Anyway, I'm thinking the issue is that I do not fit into the classic definition of bipolar disorder because I do not have true manic episodes, only hypomanic. I'm bipolar II, as far as I know. Maybe there isn't a DSM diagnosis for that specifically.

I was changing providers because I moved to NY for Physician Assistant school at Stony Brook. I tried the psychiatrists at the student health center, but that didn't go well, so I'm trying to find someone out of the blue. I think I have it covered, though.

By the way, I'm 24... my parents had nothing to do with any of this. (Did you see my age somewhere?) I promise I'm not offended - I'm just curious.