First onset was in mid teens, but wasn't diagnosed until late forties. I'm severe bipolar I, rapid cycling, mixed states, but somehow managed all those years to present a relatively normal life. Avoided the excess financial expenditures (probably because I had an ex-husband who keep tight tabs on the finances), and any extra marital escapades. After divorce, got custody of my son, and raised him until at 17 he decided he wanted to live with his father. Met a wonderful man (my soulmate), who, inspite of all the difficulties of living with someone with my condition, has stood by me for 10 years. He was with me when i went off into a major manic episode, which finally prompted my diagnosis, and took on the responsibility of caring for me as they put me on meds immediately, so I wouldn't have to go into the hospital a week before Christmas. It was a horrible, stressful time. Holidays, my died that Christmas morning, I was being laid off, I was in school, and our relationship was troubled, but he was still there.

Things for the most part are pretty level. I haven't hit any major extremes, and have avoided getting trapped in substance abuse, so still no hospitalization. Occasionally, I cycle, but not too far out of range, just enough for me and my tdoc and pdoc to notice that I'm not quite level. I've managed through all of this to hold down a full time job, and continue with my college educaton on a part-time basis, so I count myself as very lucky. I'm medication compliant, and that's  probably a bit part of it, in addition to the therapy I get almost every week.