h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

We might not have got on in the past...but it - you're a human, therefore I care.

One thing you should be aware of about bipolar disorder is that, typically, it takes a *very* long time to get a diagnosis. For example - with hindsight, I had it when I was fourteen. I got a diagnosis when I was forty. *However*...as far as I am aware, the diagnostic criterion is a single hypomanic episode, so your doctors should be listening to that. (Not that they listened to my hints. I had to wait a few years until I was bad enough to be sectioned).

The other difficulty is...give the shrinks their due...diagnosis is difficult. There is no such thing as 'typical' bipolar disorder. Psychiatric illnesses ate multi-faceted, so it's difficult - and maybe unhelpful - to pigeonole them into fixed labels. So maybe the best you can hope for is to get the *symptoms* treated. Do you need anti-depressants? Mood stabilisers? Anti-psychotics? etc. etc.

It's hard...but try and trust the doctors. Unless they turn out to be total ****s, of course.

What else can I advise? Well...where to start?
- Psychiatric illness is perfectly normal and very common.
- Life is still possible.
- Keep on keeping on.
- etc.

Good luck. Feel free to ask anything. I'll share what I know...and be honest when I don't know.

Have you tried the Bipolar Fellowship? (actually - in Englnd it still goes by the old name of 'Manic Depressive Foundation') http://www.mdf.org.uk/ Good people!

Thanks, we argued?
I expect I have argued with most people in past but can't remember but don't much these days, not even with the real loons like Warner,lol!
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I don't have any questions at moment. Whether it is what the new phychiatrist thinks it is, or Bi Polar like old one thought , it really doesn't matter as both are near as duck to swearing!
To be honest in a way it has gone on for so long now I don't worry about it anymore as attended so many meetings I wouldn't be surprised at anything they could say.
I have had people staring in shops due to head 'Tics' when bad, perhaps they think it is MS or something.
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I have made arrangements that all bills are paid automatically so won't be homeless and on streets, my biggest worry as hate the cold, if end up somewhere voluntary or not!

Oof! Try not to worry. At least you're in touch with the right services. Try and trust them to see you right. It's the ones who don't manage to stay in touch who end up on the streets. And take the meds! If the side effects are intolerable - tell them and they can give you other ones.

Please: Try not to imagine the worst. I did - but it never happened.

And, hey, short hair is no biggie.

Must dash. Gotta sleep. And so should you!