[HALLIEBETH87]

Have any of you noticed that your symptoms have changed through the years? I never really had full mania until this year. I know I have had a few time maybe where I might have been...but never like this! Also the last two years I have been in and out of the hospital...I have never had so much suicide ideation.

Anyone else have worsening??

[TheatreKid]

When I was first diagnosed, my psychiatrist at the time told me that bipolar was progressive, without the proper treatment it would get worse over time. She also said that every manic episode I have makes it easier for there to be another one.

I'm unsure if I'm worse. It's been six years and I'm still pretty non functional.

This bipolar depressive episode I'm in has been my worst ever - - with lots of suicidal ideation. I was diagnosed with bipolar in my early 20s and am 48 now. Had about 15 years of no symptoms at all, then 2 months of hypomania and immediately after, a depression was launched that's now lasted a little more than 8 months. It's ridiculous!

[HALLIEBETH87]

I have periods in between my episodes but I mainly battle depression. With 2 ods last yr and 6 hospitals and 2 crisis units in a yr and a half...bad times.

[BipolaRNurse]

Mine got dramatically worse after age 50. Up till then I was blissfully unaware that I was bipolar; if I thought about it at all, I can remember distinct episodes of mania and depression, but at the time I didn't know that's what they were. It simply wasn't a big deal. (Not to me anyway; my family later told me they thought I was "mental" as far back as my late 30s.)

Then about 4 years ago, I started having more and more episodes and started wondering about BP. I took the online quiz and scored off the charts. Still, I wasn't diagnosed till 2012 because I didn't want to acknowledge it, didn't want to have to see a psychiatrist and take medications and do all the things we have to do to stay well. I especially didn't want people to think I was crazy.

Well, here it is, I'm 55 now and yep, when I'm in the middle of an episode, I'm crazy. But I have times when I'm just as normal as everyone else, and that's what I cling to when times aren't so good. I have a great pdoc who also does therapy, a wonderful support system, and medications which take away the worst of the disease. I don't think I can ask for anything more. I wish I didn't have bipolar, but I do, and I'm finally learning how to live with it.

[otroo]

I went about 17 years un medicated and untreated after my diagnosis. I have been hospitalized four time since last April and I have also been cycling like a mother for the last couple of years. I am now on Lithium and I am feeling pretty stable as of now and I hope it stays that way. Oh and I am forty now.

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[Crazycatlady82]

Certain symptoms for me have progressively gotten worse, however my meds help me to distinguish real thoughts from sick thoughts. I think if I didn't have that ability I likely would not be alive today.