Greetings to you all. My name is Silenus. I've been living an interesting life with bipolar. In fact, no, let's say an "interesting" life...
For a few decades, I was undiagnosed. I worked an at-times high stress job, and would bounce around in what I now know was a hypomanic high. I would often take on too much at work, and there would be long hours and lots of deadlines. Which of course my hypomania would love, triggering it ever higher...
Then, usually after about 2 years, I would fall into a major depression. Nasty stuff. It would last anywhere from a month or so to about 6 months typically. The worst one I ever had lasted about 2 years.
That was also the one that led to the breakup of my marriage. I thought I was at rock bottom before that. Hah! I went into freefall...
Finally, after so many years of ignorance and believing that I could just think or logic my way out of depression, I went to see a GP, who referred me to a psych. I was diagnosed with depression, and engaged in talk therapy for a while to help me past the current life events that were triggering me so very badly.
It wasn't until a good while later that I had a big blowup with my father, and my moods started to rapid cycle. I went to see another psych, who diagnosed me with bipolar.
Since then (about 3 years ago), I have been learning as much as I can about bipolar in general and how it manifests in me in particular. It's an important journey, and self knowledge and awareness is such a crucial part of that.
Anyhoo, that's just a brief intro to my life journey so far. I look forward to meeting you, fellow forum members. Hugs and happy vibes beaming to you... 🙂
I might try to post some poetry. I write a lot when my muse grabs me. Some of it may even be readable... hahaha...
