I just found out from my therapist 2 weeks ago that I'm in a mixed episode again. It feels good to know, but also bad to recognize that it's not normal, and that I need a med adjustment.

The diagnosis was the same way: I thought I was just crazy. Knowing I was bipolar caused me to feel relief, but also to realize that I wasn't normal, and might struggle with disabilities. 

Meds, too. They come with side effects, and it's discouraging to go through so many, but knowing I'm bipolar changed that. I started on mood stabilizers, and they helped change my life.

Finally, my feelings feel fake. I'm fake happy. I'm fake sad. It's not caused by anything, and that's what hurts. But knowing that I'm not my feelings, and that other people go through this, helped a lot.

How did your diagnosis change your life?