[Blue_Bird]

How did you feel when you were first diagnosed? Shock, anger, relief, etc? I actually first felt relief that there was a name and treatments for all of the chaos I had been dealing with in my life. I felt a little shock because I didn't realize I was having manic episodes, I was only aware of the depression. I guess my mind is going too fast for me to notice what I'm doing when manic

After that I felt anger, like I would never live a normal life because I couldn't find the right medication. Soon after that was just acceptance. I have this disorder, it doesn't define me, I can be proactive in my treatment and live a successful life if I'm determined to. For me it was sort of like a process of reactions.

[A Red Panda]

I didn't really feel much of anything, aside from dread and worry over stigma. I basically knew what I was going to get diagnosed with and wasn't surprised by it at all.

It's sorta a feeling of satisfaction that I knew myself well enough to know what my diagnosis would be, and a little bit proud that I learned a lot of coping skills to manage myself before ever seeking help. Also still worry over the stigma, and disappointment that I finally caved and went to get a diagnosis and meds.

I was relieved. So so relieved. There was a name for this, and a reason I was acting the way I was. I did a lot of research when I first was diagnosed, did a lot of therapy, tried a lot of medications. After a few years of struggling the wrong meds I started to think it was hopeless, that my life was going to be like that forever. The mixed episode was a blessing in disguise, it got me back on meds and my life back on track. Now Im throwing myself back into all those things I tried when I was first diagnosed and they are helping, much to my surprise.

[BipolaRNurse]

Originally Posted by Blue_Bird

How did you feel when you were first diagnosed? Shock, anger, relief, etc? I actually first felt relief that there was a name and treatments for all of the chaos I had been dealing with in my life. I felt a little shock because I didn't realize I was having manic episodes, I was only aware of the depression. I guess my mind is going too fast for me to notice what I'm doing when manic

After that I felt anger, like I would never live a normal life because I couldn't find the right medication. Soon after that was just acceptance. I have this disorder, it doesn't define me, I can be proactive in my treatment and live a successful life if I'm determined to. For me it was sort of like a process of reactions.

My process went a lot like yours, although I think acceptance took me longer, and of course it didn't all come together for me until I'd been stable for a little while. Now I'm almost questioning my diagnosis again, because I'm more balanced now than I've ever been in my life. But then, I've heard that this train of thought is itself a symptom of the disorder, so I'm not going to be messing with my meds even though I am tempted sometimes.

i'm another one for relief.

i knew their was something wrong for ages, and for me it was just nice to finally get some clarification. i'd rather have known then, than say still not knowing.

just a relief..

[darleenjshannon]

I already knew I had bipolar so I was relieved to be getting help. For the past few months I've been seeing a new pdoc who diagnosed me with ADHD which was pretty surprising because I'd never had anyone bring it up to me in all my 31 years.

[Zabine]

This depends on the Dr!

I was having trouble in a military school (not with the actual school part) so my instructor "made" me see the flight surgeon. He diagnosed me with generalized anxiety disorder and threw me on antidepressants. I was on and off antidepressants for years and drinking a lot.

Then I switched locations and was diagnosed as having depression with borderline traits, more antidepressants.

Got a DUI and finally was allowed to see an actual pdoc. She never told me her dx, I found out when I bacame a civilian by reading my file. (I don't recommend that.) She had me down as borderline. I experienced a lot of relief with the lamictal I was given (FINALLY!)

For my disability I am bipolar.

My PA, that I have now, I speculate says bipolar, but she hardly knows me.

I suspect comorbity of BPD and bipolar, but I am not dr., yet.

So how do I feel about it? Rather confused!

[jesusplay]

pdoc: "you possibly have bipolar disorder"

my reaction: "tell me something I don't know"

[Moose72]

I really don't remember except that at first they would NOT diagnose me. It was just "maybe bipolar". That ticked me off. Either I was or I wasn't!

I had to ask my dr for my diagnosis...I presented with depression twice, the second time, he said he saw some bipolarity but he didn't come right out and say...you have bipolar disorder. I guess I didn't care if he said I had blue freckled cow disease as long as it was treatable and I didn't have to feel like crap. Which, even though it is treatable, off and on I still feel like crap. I suppose it was a relief though to know there was a name for it and a way to treat it.

A bit lost actually. I didn't know much about bipolar disorder, so it was a learning curve at first. Read lots of books and did my research. Once I had done that, I felt okay about it for the most part.

[Moose72]

Blue freckled cow disease. Lol