Bipolar and how it affects the rest of our lives.

Ive just been diagnosed with bipolar and put on lamotrigine(lamictal).The psychiatrist never said which type i had but its definitly not type 1.i have episodes of hypomania and depression but i would say it is rapid cycling because of how often they alternate....but this may be because of my age(18).

Basically the questions I now have are how will this affect the rest of my life.
i already have such trouble studying and going to lectures and have dropped out of college.I also have found part time jobs in the past extremely demanding.Could this mean i may not be able to work?and if i cant how will i support myself?
For those who have bipolar and there symptoms are similar to mine and they have a job...what advice could you offer?and what careers are "suited" to us with bipolar?

the description of your bipolar is very similiar to mine. what worked for me; medication and therapy and of course my pdoc. as for how it may affect your life..once they identified the drugs i best reponded to, slowly i reentered the workforce (took about 6 months). i returned to my professional career and was successful again. so at least for me having bipolar disorder was not the end of my life by any means! yes it took a lot of work, cooperation with my psychologist and pdoc, but you can have a good life after diagnosis. you mentioned in a previous posting that you are following the good advice you've been given so don't get discouraged. you're the main ingredient in the equation and it sounds as tho there will be improvement if you keep at what you're doing to get better. sometimes i would get mad at what i had, rant, but kept one foot forward and it worked for me!
as for the type of job that may be best for you i can only say that very stressful jobs may not be the thing for some of us. if you take the entry to the workforce as you become stronger emotionally you will be able to identify what may be best for you. trial and error is ok too. testing for what you are most talented for is also a good avenue. like are you a people person or introverted, skilled in what areas?, etc. the office of vocational rehabilitation may offer you some help due to your diagnosis. they are a federal/state run organization and have funding to order testing, counseling, etc plus help you find a job. just take baby steps at first and get your bipolar stabilized first.
hope this helps and gives you hope for the future.

Ahhh Billie...would that rapid cycling is a respector of age but not so..I was in my early 50's at diagnoisis and was cycling literally numerous times a day for weeks but, this is not true for everyone. Keep the faith, with the right meds and therapy I returned to my career as a Registered Nurse....it just doesn't happen overnight and it's different for everybody I think. Good luck to you in your journey.

madisgram has much advice I would want to say...

Your question regarding a job/career...stuck for me...

You are at the beginning so those areas you enjoy would be the areas I would try to learn most about.

I will tell you that you can be very successful in spite of having bipolar symptoms. It is true that the key is you in the equation. I'm just over double your age...I have a successful career as a senior property manager...hopefully to make assistant director of property managment (at least it feels like I'm being groomed that direction). I have been successful in school, starting positions, and promotions. I think we are all different, and these statements are not to brag. I want to give one example and give you hope that a dx of bipolar does not mean you won't enjoy a job/career...it can be at any level or anything...do what you enjoy...do what is just enough of a challenge that you are not overstressed...My position affords me the ability (salaried) to not punch a clock which really is essential for me...I guess I'm rambling...

knowing now maybe helpful...I didn't have a dx until I was 35 ish...so much more makes sense...I guess what I'm trying to say is don't let it hold you back

I think early diagnosis & treatment is very good & all to your favor of a great future. I struggled since I was 15 with mental health issues (suicide attempt at 15) & didn't get the correct dx until I was 45!! And my mother was bipolar so that should have been a clue, but I only was going to my GP & didn't go in when I was feeling manic, only depressed, so he didn't get the full picture.

It was only when I switched to an internal med doc & was in a mixed episode & she said "Aha" & sent me to a pdoc that I got dxed with bp so I spend many, many years struggling--dropped out of college, etc.

You don't have to do that with proper treatment. You will have to learn new skills to manage your bipolar, but it can be done effectively to have a great quality of life.--Suzy

yes there are alot of bipolar folks who hold jobs.
There are many talented artists and musicians too.
You have many many good years ahead of you and the fact that you are working at your life right now means you are trying.
Get a good therapist to help you learn coping techiniques.
I am self employed and am doing well.
bipolar 1 for about 14 years now.
you can do this, you are doing this.
bizi