I feel I was born with bipolar or the genes for it. It's a part of me that creates me, the good, the bad and all my events in life. I feel if I removed “that” a gene I wouldn't have life. There's just no “good” genes to replace it with. I can't see bipolar as something you can be a victim of because victim is reserved for situational issues and I don't see bipolar as a situational thing. Yes you can be a victim of the situations you find yourself in because of a disorder but not the disorder themselves.

I hope I don't offend anyone but I compare bipolar to a Seizure disorder. I risk more of a chance of a for a seizure without taking medication. However that does mean a “seizure” wont happen it's just less likely to. I imagine every person that witnesses (whether professional or not) gets scared of a ' grand mal' seizure (aka: mania). I imagine a ' grand mal' is especially embarrassing when it happens in public or in-front of ones child(ren) and probably scares the child(ren) just like mania does. Depression I compare it to a 'petite mal' seizure. “Regular” People know it happens, but don't recognize it, understand it, or pretend it's not happening because they don't know what to do. Just like seizure patients we take mostly seizure medication and we have to avoid our triggers.

Acceptance is hard for me. Not that I have bipolar it's the bipolar needs treatment that is my issue. I don't like the name, the treatment, the lifestyle changes when I've had this my whole life. I think the hardest part is learning that most people don't think like me. That things that I thought/think were normal are thrown into symptoms. That therapy make questioning my reality. That my coping skills are maladjusted because I'm suppose to rely on others and my professional team.

I fight bipolar by using my very strict rules and “maladjusted” coping skills. I go to therapy and the psychiatrist. I tell them the truth. I listen to all suggestions given and attempt them given by anyone. Attempt to reduce stress and avoid anything that can aggravate my bipolar into having an episode.