By the sound of it Wcre8tor you may be on Seroquel if you're experiencing weight gain. If so, make sure you take it as prescribed, keep busy, breath, excerise, see your Psych as planned, watch your spending patterns, be regimental with your sleep, watch the tobacco if you smoke (however now is not the time to quit), stay off alcohol and follow the cognitive process such as mindfulness etc. Perhaps you're also on a temporary benzo - make sure you take it also as prescribed if so. Have regular blood tests.
Many people have a rush when first diagnosed as finally they have a name for the exhibited behaviour, but expect volatility until the professsionals work out what level of medication you should be on. It's not uncommon for those who have recently been diagnosed with bipolar to seek to help others as it is only those who have the condition that can fully empathise.
Many people with bipolar are fully functional and never step into any form of psychosis again if they look after themselves, can self-analyse their own behaviour and recognise the mania/depression when it begins.
It's highly significant that you have support from friends and family. Many bipolar types are homeless, drug addicted hospitalised, or even in jail, with little education or hope due to mis-diagnosis or early intervention so I understand your empathy.
You're right about bipolar covering a wide spectrum of behaviour but just a few assumptive generalities maybe of assistance.
