I use "I AM" because it's so much easier and I'm lazy, although I think I also use "I HAVE" just as much. It's not really an issue for me. I mean, I know I'm not my disorder, but it feel like a strong part of me, it is part of my "character", it colors my opinions and values and how I live my life, and has a large effect on many of the decisions I make. I'd say thats enough effect to count as part of my personality.

Compleatly aggreed. I always said manic depression until I got told to stop. Apparently it was offencive to my friend? They don't even have mental illness... sometimes I wonder if "normal" people take more offense to stuff like this than "sick" people do (sorry to use those terms admittedly I hate being called sick, even though sometimes that's a very accurate way of putting it)

I like how she puts it.

I love how you put this, I really relate to it. Until I can control it, I feel like I am it.