I have what now?

ok... big day. Went to see Dr K about my depression, and the recent 'downers' I've ben having. Was explaining my symptoms and how I was good for a bit, then I dipped, then I was ok, then i dipped again. And he says "I think we may have been treating your depression, but I think you may be bipolar"

Wtf?

Isn't that what crazy people have?

Hmm. Have been hunting about on the net looking for info, and came to a scary list of symptoms:

"Five or more of these symptoms have been present during the same 2-week period (depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure must be one of the symptoms):
Depressed mood (feeling sad or empty or appears tearful)
Noticeable loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities
Significant change in body weight or appetite (more or less)
Insomnia or excessive sleep
Mental or physical slowing or restlessness
Low energy
Feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt
Reduced ability to concentrate
Recurrent thoughts of death, thoughts or attempts at suicide "

Hmm. Five, you say??? Well I can tick ALL of these.

On the Bipolar Australian website, it also lists the symptoms of Mania, which is the "highs" bipolar sufferers get. I don't get the "highs" (Ripped-off!!!), but Dr K says there's types of bipolar where you dont. Some people just have little "highs" and GREAT BIG "lows".

Phew. This is all new to me. I mean, I've been suffering from depression for 8 years now, but bipolar disorder seems like a bigger deal. I wonder why that is? Maybe because the drugs I am going to try are epilepsy drugs. Epilepsy sounds scary too.

Any advice out there???