It took me about 25 years to realize that people don't think of suicide all the time. Also, going up and down through rapid mood changes is certainly not a personality. Becoming extremely happy and then sliding fast into a downward spiral is not normal. When your boyfriend is afraid because he doesn't know how your behavior will be when he wakes up in the morning, is also not normal. I have been up and down since I was 12. I even tried to kill myself at 12. Since I've gotten into my 30's my moods are skyrocketing out of control. I could totally destroy my life with one intense, irresistible thought. Lamictal has saved my life. After trying other drugs, this one has worked tremendously.

I'm offended when people don't think it is a true illness. Why do we feel badly for those who have cancer and not those with mental illness?

I certainly do not choose to be bipolar nor is it my personality. Normally, I am an intelligent, hard working, and compassionate person. When the illness fires up, I lose my true personality.