Medicated: We didn't get a choice in being bipolar, there are a lot of things that happen that we don't get a say in. I have some major medical issues and I take more meds for them than I do for this. There are many times when I shake my fists at whatever or whoever is in charge of all this, because it isn't fair.

So you want to know what motivates me?
When you say this:
I know how that feels. But somewhere along the way, I decided that I wasn't going to let myself have a lifetime of misery - that it is in my control. I can't change being BP, I can't change the physical problems I deal with every day and I can't make people around me behave differently. But I can choose to take care of myself.

It doesn't mean that there won't be plenty of times I'm really miserable...today was one of those days when everything made me cry. I guess what it comes down to for me is that I made a promise to myself - that I won't give up on me. Hope that helps.