[Chuck1970]

I was 43 when I was officially told what my mental illness was due to that fact
I never had good insurance and could never get a regular doctor.
So for decades I self medicated with alcohol.

I was diagnosed when I was 26 (literally just a few months ago).

[Moose72]

I was diagnosed at 33. Im almost 46.

I was diagnosed with bipolar at 34 but I had a history of mental health issues most of my life.

I was @33, but I didn’t believe it, and neither did my family. My employer sent me the psychiatrist. Diet pills set off the mania, so I wrote it off.

My current pdoc says most people don’t go manic from diet pills or insomnia from propanolol (my second event that cinched it).

[99fairies]

I was 32. I am now 38.

[Moreta]

I was diagnosed with depression at 16, BP at 18.

[Wild Coyote]

Diagnosed with Major Depression @ 16 y.o.
Severe Atypical Depression @ 23 y.o.
Bipolar Depression (BPII) in my 50's.

(I still struggle with whether or not I have a true BPII diagnosis, as it still seems like more of a major depression to me. Either way, the treatment is the same.)

It's been a lifetime of severe physical illness and depression.


WC

[LadyShadow]

Diagnosis came when I was 24.

I totally ignored it. Went med-free every time they threw me in the hospital refusing to believe anything was wrong with me.

Finally came to terms with my bipolar diagnosis at age 27. Been taking my meds consistently ever since.

[HALLIEBETH87]

Depression and anxiety at 17. Bp and such at 21.

[WildcatVet]

MDD at 15yrs, Bipolar II at 40.

[SorryShaped]

In treatment off and on from 9 until 17, mostly off. Actual diagnosis of something, ADHD and MDD at 22. Treated for those only off and on until 24 then continued until 30. Finally diagnosed bipolar at 30. Perfectly obvious looking back my whole life, even as a young child. Now 43 and still struggling at times.

[Unrigged64072835]

Diagnosed with depression at 17. Added anxiety at 41. Finally diagnosed with bipolar 1 at 48, I think.

I don't remember ages very well, so I tend to go with years.

[Nammu]

MMD and PTSD at 27 BP at 37

[Victoria'smom]

Depression & ED 16 no meds.
21 ED & Depression
22 ED & bpII
23 IED, mood disorder NOS, & ED NOS
26 mood disorder NOS
30 ish Bipolar 1 w, psychosis Personality Disorder NOS
34- ??? (finally med compliant)

[SorryShaped]

Originally Posted by Miguel'smom

Depression & ED 16 no meds.
21 ED & Depression
22 ED & bpII
23 IED, mood disorder NOS, & ED NOS
26 mood disorder NOS
30 ish Bipolar 1 w, psychosis Personality Disorder NOS
34- ??? (finally med compliant)

What's IED and ED?

[Victoria'smom]

IED (Intermittent explosive disorder)- a behavioral disorder characterized by explosive outbursts of anger and violence, often to the point of rage, that are disproportionate to the situation at hand (e.g., impulsive screaming triggered by relatively inconsequential events)

ED- Eating disorder NOS

Honestly I should have been hospitalized YEARS before I was actually hospitalized. I was dangerous and unfit to be a parent. The first time I was on an AP was 3 years ago. My cocktails before even when med compliant made me volatile.

[SorryShaped]

Originally Posted by Miguel'smom

IED (Intermittent explosive disorder)- a behavioral disorder characterized by explosive outbursts of anger and violence, often to the point of rage, that are disproportionate to the situation at hand (e.g., impulsive screaming triggered by relatively inconsequential events)

ED- Eating disorder NOS

Thanks. That sounds rough.
I'd only heard of one other ED, and didn't think a mom should have that

[Pookyl]

27yrs old - post natal depression. Lasted 3 years.
43yrs old - Bipolar, GAD and panic attacks
46yrs old - claustrophobia, agoraphobia

[Zigy]

Depression and GAD in late 30s. BPII at 49. I'm 50 now

[BipolaRNurse]

Diagnosed MDD at 41, then BP NOS at 53, and finally BP 1 at 55. I'm 59 now. Looking back, I've had symptoms since age 10 or thereabouts, but was never checked out until my internist said I had something that was too much for him to handle and referred me for a psych consult. I was livid at the time but kept the appointment, and the rest, as they say, is history.

[pirilin]

61. They still don't know what the hell I have.

[~Christina]

Diagnosed at age 43

Looking back now I could see Bipolar at age 5-6

I’m 50 now

[Jester's Rags]

Officially diagnosed BP1 at 24. I’m 44 now. In hindsight, I realize I suffered with it since my teens. Classic manic and depressive episodes when I was a teen.

[sonjaward809]

Depression @ 16 .. Bipolar @17. I’m now 24