I don't know that it's a matter of acceptance. I think it's like a recognition of
an inconvenience. It's inconvenient to take medications, to have to need
therapy, to deal with side effects of medications, with ignorance (or stigma--which you shouldn't do; just forget about it and toss it off as a result of ignorance, negativity), etc.

Someone else has said it quite well. The illness is not you; it's something you could
have developed as a result of trauma, inherited, or hormone changes. It certainly should
never define who you are. If you are able to see it, you are a child of God, as we
all are.

You are neglecting one of the most significant characteristics of bipolar illness---its talent
for those who have it. Ours is not an illness of lack of intelligence, you know, it's a mood
disorder and insight into that is a great help in managing it. Knowledge about how to
control that places you in far better position than the general public about caring for yourself.

Learning to love yourself is important, too, especially in strengthening your relationship
to yourself and others.

I consider the knowledge of having such an inconvenience like moving from darkness into sunlight.