yeah, not really surprising that your diagnosis comes back "bi-polar". My foster sister has it (though for women it's usually tied to their period and taking 'the pill' will often take care of it). My suggestion: start taking martial arts classes, good ones from a school that does a lot of internal martial arts (see kung fu, tai chi, aikido, NOT tae kwon do, okinawan karate-do, or "mixed martial arts") and meditation. It can do wonders for recognising your state and stabilizing yourself: recognising "Hey I'm manic, and it feels great, but that means I need to be careful not to go crazy and do something stupid" or "Hey, I'm depressive, that means I need to force myself to get up and do something in the sunshine, something fun with friends." is the most important skill, and it's not as easy as it sounds. I have been working on this for 14 years (I don't have the pleasure of the mania, I'm just depressed half the year) and it's still a challenge to identify that my feelings are due to a chemical imbalance and not reality, and then act accordingly.

I find that St. John's Wort works well for me (it's an herb commonly prescribed in Europe for depression). Here in the US, most doc's recognise that it works for some people, but it's not controlled: you can get it at the local supermarket or natural foods store. And it is therefor cheaper if you lack health/prescription insurance. Like all meds for depression or manic-depression, don't take it at the same time as any other prescribed med for the issue (they will cancel eachother out as they fight for the same receptors) and watch yourself carefully: all antidepressants will work for some people, do nothing for others, and increase the problem in others.

Anyhow, Didy's right too, don't let this label restrict you, nor should you hide behind it. Just fight it and move on.

Praying for you,
Love in Christ,
~CSL