If you asked me that question for 4 years ago after I lost almost everything, marriage and custody of my child and family and friends I would say yes. It's been a battle to rebuild my life and somedays I get angry that I have the illness and had such an awful manic episode and did truly horrible things. If I let myself wallow in it and go to that bad spot then I can feel that way, but I can say that I've worked really hard to rebuild my life with my counselor, pdoc, etc. and I'm finally on the right meds. My counselor has helped teach me that bipolar does not define me and she tells me in our sessions when I overidentify with it or label myself. It truly is just one facet of who we are as people. I know for the longest time I had the lowest of low self-esteem and felt like a total piece of crap, but I now know that my episode was just a part of my life and again does not define who I am. Yes, I did those things but I did not do them intentionally and I am a good person and have done many good things in my life. I've worked hard not only for myself but for my 6 1/2 year old son. Who knows what will happen with my illness but I am doing everything possible to keep myself healthy and from keeping myself from getting too high or too low. I also have a strong genetic predisposition to it. My father was diagnosed at 25, my aunt (his sister) at 48 and her two daughters in their 20s. I was diagnosed at 38 officially but feel that I was most likely misdiagnosed with depression only for many years. I worry that my son will get it because of our genetics and wonder what my ex-husband will do if he gets it. My ex abandoned me so will he do the same with my son? Only time will tell. I understand if that's how you feel as I've been there. So I wish you the best with whatever challeneges you may be facing and want to assure you that things can get better.