How old? - Bipolar Disorder Message Board

zuzu23 · 12-17-2006, 01:54 AM

As a newbie to the board, I'm still trying to get a grasp of my recent BP diagnosis.

As such, I was wondering what age everybody here was when they were diagnosed BP. I turned 28 last month, and was diagnosed a month before my 28th birthday (So was 27 technically.)

I really do have sooooo many BP questions. Can anybody recommend some good websites for general information on BP? I know if I did a google search I'd probably get a couple hundred hits, but to narrow it down, I'm hoping someone can give me a few to start with?

Thank you guys again.

JustDave4now · 12-17-2006, 06:02 AM

Hey Zuz,
I was actually 39 When I realized I was BP instead of Unipolar. All this time I had been taking antidepressants for regular depression. That helped actually and I am having a hard time living with the BP sometimes. My mood is stable, and I am not so grumpy for sure and no burst of anger anymore. The trade offs are worth it I will say, but unlike a unipolar, we lose something when we take meds, we lose the highs which is good of course, but you kind of get attached to them.

I can't recomend any websites because you are not allowed to on these boards. But keep using google but get discriptive on what you want instead of just BP. for instance, "Bipolar official support" will aim you cleared than just the word bipolar.
YOu have a journey in front of you, I wish you well. There is allot to learn. BP is more like in my mind and alcoholic than someone who might have some other disease. There is pleasure to be lost in the cure, thats the barb, but if you don't let go the hook and bait, your pulled to your doom.

On the other hand, you gain small pleasures that you wouldn't have had. For instance, I don't yell at my son anymore at the drop of a hat. I don't buy expensive things I can't afford, and I get to sleep at night.

mentalmom · 12-17-2006, 07:36 AM

I was 25 when I was diagnosed with Bipolar I. Looking back, I now see that I had it much earlier than that - probably all the way back to early high school. It has been a wild ride.

Paige1989 · 12-17-2006, 07:46 AM

I was fifteen, but my psychiatrist reckons I was suffering from bipolar symptoms for at least five years prior to, at the time diagnosed with unipolar depression.

zuzu23 · 12-17-2006, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustDave4now

Hey Zuz,
I was actually 39 When I realized I was BP instead of Unipolar. All this time I had been taking antidepressants for regular depression. That helped actually and I am having a hard time living with the BP sometimes. My mood is stable, and I am not so grumpy for sure and no burst of anger anymore. The trade offs are worth it I will say, but unlike a unipolar, we lose something when we take meds, we lose the highs which is good of course, but you kind of get attached to them.

I can't recomend any websites because you are not allowed to on these boards. But keep using google but get discriptive on what you want instead of just BP. for instance, "Bipolar official support" will aim you cleared than just the word bipolar.
YOu have a journey in front of you, I wish you well. There is allot to learn. BP is more like in my mind and alcoholic than someone who might have some other disease. There is pleasure to be lost in the cure, thats the barb, but if you don't let go the hook and bait, your pulled to your doom.

On the other hand, you gain small pleasures that you wouldn't have had. For instance, I don't yell at my son anymore at the drop of a hat. I don't buy expensive things I can't afford, and I get to sleep at night.

Hey Dave,

Thanks for responding. I was wondering if you could tell me what Unipolar means? Is that like how Bipolar means Mania and Depression, and Unipolar means you don't cycle and just have one main emotion?

There are so many intelligent, bright souls on this board, it's just wonderful to see so many! And, yes, I do have a pile of stuff to learn. There are so many questions, and no websites I read last night or today give any of the answers to what I want to know.....

I guess it will just take time. Thanks for the insights though!