I've accepted it as a part of who I am. Not anything to be scared of, ashamed of, constantly concerned with, just another part of me. Just like my back problems, just like my Catholic upbringing, just like the skills and leadership I gained while on the road to Eagle Scout.

Its all just another part of who I am. I don't let my Catholic faith define me; there's a lot of the teachings and dogma I dont agree with. I try to live by the Scout Law, but I can't always be thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.

In this same way I dont let bipolar define me. Sure I have the terrible thoughts running through my mind, but I usually keep them to myself and dont let them control my actions. I've shared my dx with all my co-workers. We even joke about it.

Nothing like coming into work a little agitated, and the first thing you hear from a coworker is, "Oh, today's not the day is it? I thought you were gonna tell us to wear red. I'm your buddy right? Your gonna let my go when you go postal on the place right?" hahahah