I enjoyed reading your post and agreed, in most part, with what I read. Though I don't believe everyone can make a full recovery and live a full and normal life, I believe a lot of what goes into recovery and living a better life comes from wanting to make a change.

Now I'm not saying willpower alone will make your life substantially better - I actually think willpower is just a part of it but nonetheless an important part. Along with willpower, it is important to find whatever other support you can. I've had troubles myself with establishing a healthy mix of self-help and reliance on support of which doesn't come from within ourselves: such as support in relationships (whether that be friendships, peers, husbands/wives, boyfriends/girlfriends, etc) and for some medication and therapy.

However, even though I do believe willpower alone is not enough, I think it's important for all bipolar patients (once in the place to do so) to find the willpower to make a change. Some take a bipolar diagnoses as a life sentence and though I'm one of those that admits I'm going to encounter struggles for the rest of my life, it doesn't mean I won't use all of my willpower to overcome the symptoms of whatever episode I'm in. To push myself to get out of bed, to get a shower and to do something productive.

Please don't take what I'm saying as a: "Pull your socks up, it could be worse" because that's not what I'm saying at all. I know how difficult it is, we all do. When in a depressive episode, the last thing you care about is pushing yourself. Try to find a balance between motivating yourself and using your willpower to control the disorder and having some well-earned rest to avoid pushing yourself too far.

Neither am I saying willpower alone will give you a symptom-free life. Willpower is just the motivation and energy you need to help yourself to overcome obstacles. Along with willpower you may require medication or therapy. What I'm saying is that it can be an important mix of willpower, a small amount of medication (at least to keep you stable long enough to implement some changes and begin to build your life), therapy and a bit of help from the people close to you.

RB.