Yes, I agree with everyone. This is an illness that can be inherited, and how can we feel guilty about a genetic makeup? Please try to realize that this illness is not one of intellect--it's one of moods.

Of the two, intellect and moods, I much prefer having a mood problem (which I can work on) rather than an intellectual problem that is much less likely to respond to care and management.

Besides, many of you have been gifted in artistic ways, in addition to being intelligent, so let's open the door to the realization that we have something good going for us that not all people will ever understand.

Being sensitive to beauty, appreciating poetry, loving nature, painting, sculpting, etc., seeing the uniqueness of other people, and handling their difficulties with respect and care, trying always to keep our stability and making it easier with each dietary change or bits of help from our psychiatrists keep the wheels oiled and turning pretty well for most of us.

There's even a spiritual aspect to this that, if we are capable of receiving it, has a huge impact on the feeling tone because we are released largely from the imprisonment of the ego. (And that's what conversion is--a burning of the ego.)

I wish everyone the good use of the gifts you have been given in bipolar structure.

(In one country 45% of the people there are bipolar. Yet, they are a country which has never, to my knowledge, been involved in a major war. I won't mention the times the U.S. has been involved in wars since the revolution.)

It's peace, Good Peope, that's available in this illness in my view that many may never know who are not bipolar and unaware that they can do things in a positive way to enrich life for all.

Good wishes,

Genetic