Whew. Where does one start to talk about this illness? I was diagnosed with Bipolar II, in quite a rush, about for weeks ago. I was given a sample pack of Lamictal without much information. Luckily, I've been working in Pharmacy for about 4 years now, so I did have a good understanding of the drug, but unfortunately, not the disease.
A week ago I had my second manic episode. After not sleeping or eating for about a week, I ended up taking an overdose of Clonazepam and Fioricet. It was a weak suicide attempt, since I've been studying pharmacy for a while I knew that I was taking a significantly lower dosage then the LD50, however, because it was "significantly higher then any theraputic dosage" (a quote from the pdoc) I was hospitalized. I say this in quotes because, it wasn't really that much higher then a theraputic dose (I took about 9mg of the Colonazepam) yet, that's not what they want to hear when your in the hospital.
So I ended up staying in a very nice pysch unit. I got to meet other people with the disorder for the first time (other then my estranged mother) and I found the whole process very theraputic. I must admit that I was terrified going into this experience.
Being commited to any pysch unit for the first time is a terrifying experience. I spent most of the first day crying about being locked up and not interacting with anyone. The second day that I spent there was much better, I started to make friends, find out about their experiences with the disorder, and vent about some of my frustrations with the diagnostic system and lack of support that I've had. I must say that if any one reads this and is afraid of a hospitalization, it will not be as bad as you think (if you are in the right place). It's not girl interupted, and that was my immediate thought when I was told I was being sent there.
So now I've been out for about a week. I've been looking for a good community to share, learn, and grow with this disorder. This one seemed like the best one that I could find. I'm so happy to find it.
Right now I'm living in the moment every day. Trying to deal with the hypomanic symptoms that haven't quite subsided yet by running off some extra energy and writing as much as posible about feelings instead of acting on them by hurting myself.
I hope that everyone enjoys my postings. I will be trying to keep updating for myself and for the benefit of any other young people living with the disorder. 
Thank you for that information! I've been a runner for quite a while now, so during my hospital visit they encouraged me to keep running. One doctor even recomended long slow paced runs as a way to cope with the hypomania. I have actually found that very theraputic.
I do understand what you mean about excess ecercise as a cause of mania. I do appreciate you giving me that information very much. It's something I've never considered, and being so new to this, I don't really know any of my triggers yet. It's something I will look out for.
I have been seeing a therapist for a while (before I was diagnosed with BP, I had the Post Tramautic Stress label). I've been trying despertly to study this disorder. My bookshelf is about 1/8 full of bipolar reading. I also like this site very much for infromation.
Again, thank you so much!