Bipolar disorder ruined my future

Sorry to hear of this.

As a manic-depressive myself, I'm wondering, were you ever under the care of a sychiatrist?

The reason I am asking is this:

I went to psychiatrists for 20 years, off and on, and would complain of depression. They would diagnosis me as depressive.

I was mania-depressive, but they would never inquire about a possible manic side, by asking, "Well, do you ever stay up until 2 a.m. in the morning?" and "Does you mind every race from idea to idea for hours?"

Finally, after 20 years, I was given Lithium for mania, which also knocked out my panic attacks. Why 20 years?

The Lithium, which lowers mania and lessens depression, goes along with my anti-depressant.

Ok, you've answered the question in the second sentence of your original post. You said:

"I have suffered from depression for the past 20 years. Recently I was diagnosed with bipolar when I had a severe manic attack which lasted 3 months"

You were on an anti-depressant for 20 years, and they never asked once in those 100's of sessions. "Do you ever stay up until 2 the in morning, or having racing thoughts?"

For 20 years, they never mentioned the word "Lithium?" Never mentioned the word "mania?"

That could have been prevented.

You have a better attitude about things than I do.

I wasn't particularly manic in a lot of ways myself, in some ways I was.

I got my best tip about that from a man who knew my uncle, and he said, "You uncle was manic-depressive and you probably are, too."

I had never heard that from a psychiatrist.

When I took my first Lithium pill, I felt the air had been let out of an over-inflated balloon.

I never knew I was that uptight. It really helped me.

I'm glad you're doing a lot better and that you wrote in. Maybe others will see this and be more aware of the condition of bi-polar.

Yes, I am currently in therapy. Plus I go to Emotions Anonymous and have a sponsor and am working the 12 steps (step 2 currently). Thanks for responding as I don't feel so alone.