New to Bipolar - What can I do to help myself

After decades of being treated for unipolar depression and generalized anxiety disorder, it seems I am bipolar. It seems a lot of my symptoms overlapped so it took a long time to be properly diagnosed. I'm assuming being on an SSRI all these years made everything worse.

I know next to nothing about Bipolar Disorder. I'd like to learn just a little bit more than the basics, so I can understand it. And I'd like to know what to do for it--how can I manage the highs and lows, what sort of self care is important for it, how do I build my self awareness in the highs and lows, do I say anything to friends/family, do I need to avoid caffeine, etc., have a strict regular sleep time, etc., etc.

Thanks in advance.

Finding the right meds and dosage is the most important. Enough quality sleep is also important.
I'd recommend the book The Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide.
Recognizing your moods before they get too severe - manic>psychotic, depressed>suicidal is also important in not getting in trouble and staying alive. Otherwise once you're medicated you should feel normal and happy. Therapy can be very helpful at first although I've found I run out of stuff to talk about and get tired of analyzing my childhood.

Finding the right meds and dosage is the most important.

After a frustrating few decades, I'm seeing that now. I think that's why I've been so accepting of the diagnosis. I wouldn't accept it a number of years ago when it was first suggested.

Enough quality sleep is also important.

Can you explain why? I'd like to explain this to my husband.

I'd recommend the book The Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide.

Thank you for the recommendation. I read the reviews and can see this looks like a great book. Normally I tend to overbuy books on something (I think that's one of my man toy bipolar signs perhaps), but I think I can actually see myself just buying and actually reading this one book. Thank you. It looks very useful.

Recognizing your moods before they get too severe - manic>psychotic, depressed>suicidal is also important in not getting in trouble and staying alive.

This was hard to read, but I am grateful you were clear and direct with this crucial point.

Otherwise once you're medicated you should feel normal and happy.

I see a difference already on the low side Lamictal and hopefully I'll see more if I'm cleared to titrate up.

Therapy can be very helpful at first although I've found I run out of stuff to talk about and get tired of analyzing my childhood

I am hoping that once this new medication really kicks in, I'll get more out of therapy than I have been. Analyzing my childhood, except regarding major stuff, never got me anywhere either. My previous therapist told me psychoanalysis for years and years wouldn't likely help me. I can see that now. I really need structured therapy. I need something like a combination therapy and life coach.

Thanks for your very helpful reply.