I believe that many mood-leveling drugs used to treat bipolar primarily target the highs, as these are most problematic for society at large. Psychiatric treatment, while necessary, benefits society as much as the individual, the primary benefit of bipolar treatment being that the individual gets to live at home, rather than in psychiatric facility. When we are depressed, we stay to ourselves, keep our mouths shut, and cause problems for no one but ourselves. We suffer silently. In manic or hypomanic episode, we act out, keep the household awake, wear amazing make-up and clothing combinations, tell people off at the shopping center, interrupt the church service, and generally bring all manner of attention to ourselves. This typically gets us a ride to the nearest state hospital, where court commitments are easy to obtain, and which creates a drain on state funds, as few people are willing to pay for a court-mandated hospital stay which ridded them of their excessive joy.

This is interesting perspective and I somehow agree that the definition of normal in our supposedly free society is scarily narrow. I try to keep thoughts what they are... just thoughts... because well, flying off to Lisboa is great in theory, but what would I gain? (But oh Lisboa, I wanna dance in your streets in pretty clothes reminding the Portugese that struggle is a joy).

and it's funny you mention clothes and make-up and acting somehow loud. Isn't that pretty cultural? I like to claim that i am Italian accidentally born in cold (weather and emotional-wise) part of Europe.

In short, I think that, at best, mood-stabilizing meds used for treatment of bipolar leave us feeling neither depression nor mania, in short, nothing at all. At worst they take away the manic side of the illness, leaving only the depression. I hate to sound cynical, and there may be a few meds which effectively treat bipolar, leaving an appropriate amount of happiness.

I do not believe in the medical model at all. While it may work for some, it should not be pushed on everybody. People should not be told they have to accept horrendous side effects of the "treatment". There are another ways and once one learns to be comfortable in their skin and separate thoughts and behavior... you can live.

Dress appropriately, even when you feel like wearing 19 clashing colors and 50 pieces of jewelry.

But I love my body glitter, my pink-leopard pattern tops, my skirts and my ancesories. Friends tell me I have style. And again... if I were in Harajuku, or even southern europe... I'd be just one of the crowd, lol.

Remember that everybody, not just you, has a "special mission for God."

see... this is another problem. You see see Jesus in your toast and it's swell and a miracle... but if I get into touch with my previous incarnations and hang with ghosts and write letters to Franz Kafka (as a true existentialist he does not reply and let's me ponder about what would he reply if he did)... well, I rather don't share these experiences too much.