An Introduction

Hello All,
I am 22 years old and was diagnosed with bipolar two weeks ago. I was very surprised to get that diagnosis but after learning more about the disease, I'm beginning to recognize the misconceptions I've had about bipolar. Euphoria is not something that I experience at all really which is what made me think I was not bipolar and just depressed. When I am manic, I tend to get extremely paranoid, irritable, and start cleaning everything. My doctor said that many people think that you must experience euphoria to be bipolar, but that is not the case at all.

I am a recent college graduate and am finding it difficult to transition into the workplace with my condition. For example, what made me seek treatment in the first place was the fact I had gotten a new call center job that was driving me insane. I felt physically ill and would cry periodically throughout the day. There was the possibility of the physical symptoms being caused by fibromyalgia, but since the vast majority of my pain has dissipated with 250 mgs of Depakote (migraines included), my PCP suspects what I was experiencing was due to a mixture of bipolar and gastrointestinal problems (TMI sorry).

So now I've essentially quit that awful job of people calling and yelling at me all day since I can't handle that emotionally, and am focused on my healing. It's amazing to look back to the time I was very young and see the behavior patterns emerging that are consistent with this illness. Just being diagnosed with bipolar instead of depression (which I was treated for for 5 years unsuccessfully), has helped me recognize when I am getting to be manic. I have a psychiatrist appointment in a week that will help me further. I suspect I am a rapid cycler, but I'll leave that determination up to a professional.

Thanks for reading!