I have ssues with labelling myself mentally ill.

Firstly: When I assumed that label I felt more ill than ever. Its as if thinking of myself in that context magnified my symptoms. It also contributed to me pathologizing my every thought, feeling and action.
In short, it equalled constant misery.

Secondly: I don't see myself as being a sick person, I didn't contract bipolar from anywhere, it doesn't show up in any scans or blood tests, and more importantly, doctors have never formulated a drug to treat it.
They treat our symptoms using drugs made for depression, epilepsy and psychosis. The only med bipolar specific is a metal I didn't respond well to AT ALL, I'm sure I would have had better luck sucking my cellphone battery.

Sooo after my discovery that viewing myself as ill was not good for me, I assumed my pre-dx perception, the one I came up with while still a teen.

My brain is wired differently, and so I have learned from a young age to find ways to compensate for that.

Having a dx helps to incorporate the tools I need to deal, but I refuse to describe myself as ill.

Also, mentally ill sounds so completely defeating, soooo insulting. Like I can't even be trusted to think for myself. My brain is ill *insert vomit emoji*

Buut on the rare occasion if for whatever reason I do use the term, (like in therapy) for instance when referencing the experts, I always make a big show of using my fingers to indicate apostrophes... "Mentally Ill"....

Ugh, the term leaves a foul taste in my mouth.