Trying to understand bipolar...quick question

So, just about all my life, I have had pretty bad anxiety. I used to have (what I thought were) panic attacks that would last hours and hours.

A deep, deep depression started for me in 1/16, and has not lifted.

Now with the Bipolar diagnosis, about a year ago, I wonder, was I in a hypo state all those years, and now I am in a depressive phase?

Since I had anxiety/panic for the last 40 years, and I doomed to have the depressiion side of my illness for the rest of my life???

Ugh. Bipolar is such a horrible thing. No 2 people's symptoms or illness is the same. Everyone is so different in how the cycle, when they cycle, etc.

Any insight? Does this make sense??

Anything is possible with this illness. What made them diagnose you with bipolar? The anxiety?

My own unique Bipolar ..... I was diagnosed late age 43

Looking back I could see bipolar through out my life.

Are you in Therapy?

<shrugs>

I don’t know, but don’t give up hope. Have you tried different meds to try to resolve the depression?

Maybe a therapist?

I’m sorry you are having a tough time. I deal with deep depression and bad anxiety as well. My depressions have lasted for years. It’s discouraging I know but in my experience they do eventually lift and with the right medication can be managed or relieved. I suffered badly for years and was put on a new med combo that took care of the depression and anxiety about 2 months ago. Hopefully it works long term. There is hope. Don’t give up!

I don’t know if your anxiety was hypomania or not. Your pdoc would have a better idea. Whatever it is/was, I know it’s really rough.

I hope you come out of this depression soon. ((((Hugs))))

Bingo you said it, "No 2 people's symptoms or illness is the same."
I have had anxiety, panic attacks, hypomania and depression and was just diagnosed this year.