If I was not, then why do the meds help? I went looking for a diagnosis... not an excuse but a reason for why I loose control of myself. Now when I am symptom free, I entertain the idea of being cured and then am zapped back to reality.

My brother went from bieng totaly against these medications... untill he saw the real difference that they can make. My disorder went from a thing he thought was a farse to as real as it gets. He now is a proponent of mental health treatment, and regrets ever beliving that our condition does indeed exist.

For me bieng labled is nothing new. I was diagnosed with dyslexia at 5 years old, so I have grown used to being separated out. I believe I am bipolar becasue the diagnosis fits the patterns in my life. My docs all are convinced... and my family agrees (after having the facts presented).