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I Was Diagnosed With Bipolar I After Ignoring These Signs for a Year

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition characterized by dramatic mood episodes that include mania or hypomania. These 'high' moods alternate with periods of depression. People who manage the condition can live fulfilling, happy lives. According to the Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, it takes on average six years for a person to be diagnosed with bipolar disorder. When the condition is undiagnosed, it can wreak havoc on a person's life. The mood episodes can become more severe the longer a person is untreated. Luckily, I received a diagnosis within one year of the symptoms starting, but that's probably because I developed more serious psychotic symptoms. Looking back, I realize that there were red flags that I ignored before my diagnosis. Hyperfixation on Goals About a year before I was diagnosed, I officially started my mental health marketing company. At this time, I started working upwards of 80 hours a week. I felt super motivated, adopted a 'hustle mindset,' and became hyper-focused on my goals. I considered this healthy ambition and didn't think much of it. However, looking back, I realize that this was an increase in goal-directed activity, which is a sign of bipolar disorder. Brain Fog In the year leading up to my diagnosis, I had pretty bad brain fog. I would forget what I was doing just five minutes prior. I knew this wasn't normal. I felt like something was wrong, and this feeling wouldn't go away. So I made an appointment with my primary care doctor. I described my brain fog to him. He dismissed this issue as being due to normal age-related memory changes. I wasn't quite satisfied with this answer. But I think it's what I wanted to hear. So I ignored my concerns and didn't bring the issues up to him again. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) doesn't list "brain fog" as a specific symptom of bipolar disorder. However, it turns out that memory and cognitive issues are common in bipolar disorder. Sleep Changes I started experiencing sleep changes about a year or so before my diagnosis. I would stay up very late, working well into the early morning hours. Sometimes, I wouldn't go to bed until close to dawn. At the time, I wasn't tracking my sleep. (Now I do). But I probably wasn't getting enough sleep. Because of the changes in my sleep patterns, I saw a sleep specialist. He diagnosed me with a delayed sleep-wake phase disorder, which is a circadian rhythm disorder. I've since learned that circadian rhythm disorders are common in people with bipolar disorder. Anxiety A couple of weeks before my first manic episode, I had what I would call 'anxious distress.' This went way beyond regular stress. I felt as though I couldn't handle or manage things. I worried that I was losing control. This was different from normal for me. I'd never had anxiety like this before. I was later diagnosed with an anxiety disorder as well. I learned that bipolar and anxiety disorders often co-occur. Paranoia I started to have paranoia right before I was diagnosed. Most people experience feelings of paranoia from time to time. So I brushed it off. However, paranoia is a sign of psychosis, which can occur with bipolar disorder. My Advice I would encourage anyone having similar issues to make an appointment with a licensed mental health professional. Advocate for yourself. Bipolar disorder is treatable with medications and therapy. Even if it isn't bipolar, it's important to find out what is going on.