I am not any of my diagnoses, not really.

That said, if I did not experience and perceive the world and my life the way I do and have BECAUSE of the symptoms I present, I would be a completely different person.

So while I am not bipolar or autism [oh my god an autie said they are not defined by the SPECTRUM!!!] or OCD...

My experiences, memories, challenges, successes are highly influenced by the symptoms listed under those diagnoses [the ones that I routinely endure].

However, one would not be able to look at any part of the DSM [any version] or ICD [again, any version] and understand who I am or what about me is so awesome and unique [or, well, however any given person perceives me].

We are not our childhood, we are not our house, we are not our money [or lack there of]. We are not our skin color, our height, any part of our environment. We are not our glasses, our low or high blood sugar, the body parts we do or do not have.

Still all of these things can profoundly affect who we are by way of related experiences, for better or for worse.

We do have a say in exactly how we are affected by them, though.