i agree outlook can have a lot to do with it but there also in most cases is the underlying disease. I too have a family full of bipolar people. My mother, grandmother and all 5 of my siblings. All diagnosed younger with adhd to have it turn into bipolar as adults. My youngest sister is 19 and just recently was diagnosed. Positive outlook and attitude can do a lot but its damn near impossible to put on a happy face and pretend everything is ok when its just not. When depression grabs me, its got me and I have to have meds pull me out. I help the meds by doing things like walking out in the sunshine even when i feel like im just going to roll over and die. I think too with having bpd as I also have has a lot to do with the depression too. Not feeling worth it for others, scared of being left by loved ones because we dont deserve them. That list goes on and on. Just saying its sometimes to hard to put the positive in your mind when your depressed.