[piecedtogether]

Hi everyone! I'm an 18 year old female, and just the other day I was finally diagnosed, with bipolar.
I've suspected for over a year (when most of my symptoms became noticeable to me) that my disorder was bipolar. I was under the age of 18, so for some reason, the psychiatrists I went to were really unnerved by diagnosing me with bipolar head on. So this is what they said: "Severe depression and anxiety with a possibility of bipolar." or "Partial Manic episodes."

Wow, right? But finally, after the age of 18 and trying only a couple of medications to treat my 'severe depression and anxiety' I've been diagnosed. I don't doubt that I have severe anxiety, this psychiatrist also said it seemed that I had anxiety. But I always knew there was something more. Funny how after you get your diagnosis you look back and think "So THAT is why I did this." Or "That's why I felt this way."

I'm just so glad to finally be on a medication that's helping me a bit. I just started literally 3 days ago but it seems to already be managing a few of my symptoms. Anyways, I hope to learn more about the disorder, and I hope to meet some great people on this forum and am glad to be a part of it, with people who understand!

[ultramar]

Welcome to the forum -I hope you find the support and information you're looking for.

Second, I don't mean to burst your bubble, but you said the psychiatrist indicated "with a possibility of bipolar" which isn't a definitive diagnosis. This is typical, though. It's a very complicated diagnosis and can take a long time for a pdoc to make this determination. As you continue to work with him/her hopefully both will understand better what you are going through and you'll get the treatment that works best for you.

[AnxietyGirl916]

Welcome to the boards! I hope you find the support and encouragement here that you are looking for. I find it extremely helpful to bounce ideas and questions off others.

[Victoria'smom]

Hi welcome. I'm glad your pdoc took time DXing you but I'm very surprised that if they suspected it they weren't treating it even if it wasn't wrote in your file. My son's pdoc avoids Serious mental illness dx's and only writes the co-occurring disorders but treats everything.

[Lillyleaf]

Welcome!!

[henrydavidtherobot]

I'm newly diagnosed too. It feels good to be getting help.

[piecedtogether]

Originally Posted by ultramar

Welcome to the forum -I hope you find the support and information you're looking for.

Second, I don't mean to burst your bubble, but you said the psychiatrist indicated "with a possibility of bipolar" which isn't a definitive diagnosis. This is typical, though. It's a very complicated diagnosis and can take a long time for a pdoc to make this determination. As you continue to work with him/her hopefully both will understand better what you are going through and you'll get the treatment that works best for you.

Thanks! But I recently went to another psychiatrist that definitely diagnosed me with bipolar and started me on meds, that was a different psychiatrist that said it was a possibility. Sorry for not specifying!

[LadyShadow]

Hello and welcome to the forum! I have bipolar disorder too, and was diagnosed almost 10 years ago. It has been a long and hard road, but I am definitely a better person than I was. My medication helps me but it numbs me out which worries me sometimes.

Hopefully you can learn more from the people here, and you get support you need.