Definitely it is an issue of attitude more than a case of actual illness. There are cases where I sometimes blow and I will have to go back and apologize for having acted in a bizarre or exagerrated manner, and then I might explain that I am bipolar or have anxiety problems and that my stress levels have been way out of whack. Note: I eat crow FIRST, my other problems are an explanation, not an excuse, and only if they are relevant to what has happened, only if the other person knows about my mental problems, and only if that will keep the other person involved from greater insult or pain. It is not an excuse for every stupid blow-out, misjudgement, etc. That is just insulting to everyone, including myself. At some point, I have to do my self the honor of standing and facing the music, because I have come far enough to know that I can without having to hide behind the "Oh, I just can't help myself" excuse.
I can't help myself when I get to a certain point, but I can do a lot to keep from getting there

We used to talk about how willing people were to learn about their illnesses as a measure to see how successfully they would learn to live with thier mental health issues. There were those who only learned ienough to find out what the illness would entitle them to get away with, and these folks didn't have a good prognosis. Everyone goes through a kid of stage like that, but most move through it pretty quickly. You spot the ones who don't very fast.