My father was first diagnosed at age 62 with bipolar disorder

1979, he was first diagnosed. My dad and I went to the Super Bowl in Miami together, and his manic episode started there. He still had enough control to not get into serious trouble, but he was starting to scare me with his eyes and his affect. I was only 21 and had no idea WTF was wrong with my dad.

We went back home, and his episode escalated. Eventually his business partner convinced him to check himself into a clinic in Lakeland, away from home. He was diagnosed there. His psychiatrist told me bluntly on the phone I didn't know shit from shinola, which was pleasant to know (NOT). At any rate, he was placed on Lithium and began to get the required blood monitoring.

Later on, I found out that he had been having hypomanic or full-blown manic episodes his whole life, but they had been carefully hidden from me. Apparently his older brother had been bipolar also, and this was a huge family secret. Somehow he had avoided getting treatment all these years.

Yes, being diagnosed at age 62 is definitely atypical. My reading tells me that people are even diagnosed in their 70's, very atypical. The classic age is early 20's, late teens, that sort of thing. My son had his first manic episode at age 21, "right on schedule" so to speak. Poor kid but at least he's getting treatment and will be OK.

To be really open, I'm a tad nervous I will get diagnosed later in life myself. I've had depressive episodes since age 7 and am currently on 2 meds for that. Could I have a manic episode still ? It's possible, but I'm not losing sleep over it. If it happens, I'll do what I need to do.

Be well, my forum friends. We all do the best we can. Mental illness sucks, but there is HOPE, love, understanding and a decent future with treatment.

Steve