i don't really know how to start this, but i was diagnosed with bipolar type 2 after being misdiagnosed for 6+ years. i was diagnosed with major depressive disorder at the age of 12 and i felt like i knew myself. as i got older i realized i had these episodes of mania and a steady decline from there. i'm now on medication and doing better, but i don't know how to help myself because i spent so long treating an illness i didnt have. i know how to deal with the depressive episodes but the mania is whole different story. all i really know to do is shut everyone out once i've hit a manic episode but i know self isolating is bad too. any tips?