I do not believe that the turbulent emotions I experience through bipolar disorder has any part of me. Rather, it covers me, keeps me from being ME -- letting my personality and strengths shine through. I feel as though the emotions I have are not mine; they don't make sense. The disorder does change my thoughts, but these are not healthy or rational thoughts, they are not thoughts that I identify with myself.

It is a disorder, and the disorder is part of my experience but only keeps me from being completely myself.