That's what the med boards are for

The bipolar diagnosis has changed ALOT in the last few years. Used to be the only people diagnosed or treated were those who had mania bordering on psychosis. Now they've figured out that it is a spectrum thing rather than "you have it or you don't" kind of thing. The low grade condition is called cyclothymia.

I used to get really pissed off and just go nuts over stupid stuff, or I'd be really depressed for no good reason. Now I can let stuff just slide....most of the time

The sad thing is that I had to do all the research on my own. Many shrinks nowadays still aren't up on the latest info, or they just have a hard time diagnosing it. I had to bring it up myself!

I told my shrink that I smoked and he was like, "meh, so what." I started smoking for this very reason and found that it leveled my mood out...at least temporarily...enough to get centered anyway.

It sucks, but it ain't hopeless and you aren't alone

peace >@