I think the reason I would pick Bipolar over serious physical illness is because I don't to die early. Mostly that. And I don't enjoy the limitations that come with pain. I am a pretty active person and the pain, and other ailments make that really hard sometimes.

But it also makes dealing with the mental illness not so great, it does bring the moods out.

I can really understand what you said about the stigma Livethroughthis. That's very true about sympathy and empathy. In my case that hasn't been so, I think because I have been struggling with physical illness for so long, and come up empty handed or miss dx all over the place, my family is just kinda used to it, and I dunno they are not the sympathetic anyways.

And that leads to the other part for me, I never had much for family, or friends, so I can't say I have experienced that loss because of Bipolar, I don't spend thousands, but I don't have it to spend, I have lost the ability to work, which has been huge, but could have been for physical reasons as well. And I cannot drive because I have tunnel vision, .. the rest of it, yup, yup , yup. Tho I have seen my bf have pretty bad anxiety and depression brought on by physical illness.

After you made this post it made me think about my choice more, and why. Thanks for posting that cause a lot of it probably rings true for many. In my case, well My health is a mess, and I feel like I have gained more control over Bipolar over the years. But I am scared to die and leave my children behind, that is my biggest deciding factor.

I think the way you feel makes perfect sense. My bf tho he is pretty ill, would not trade for bipolar either. We have talked about that.