After two years of fighting these incredible lows, something new happened... My first manic episode. I was 15 years old when I was hospitalized and diagnosed with manic depression. The doctors said I was the youngest person they'd ever diagnosed with manic depression. I'd always felt like I was different than everyone else and like I never fit in with anyone. Then when I was diagnosed with a mental illness, I even felt more alone. I had so many different emotions. I wanted to know, "Why me? What did I do to deserve this?" I felt so much shame and embarrassment. I felt that my teen years had been stolen from me and I was full of anger.