"I don't consider you a person with a disability." - dd. "You don't have bipolar." - MIL

At the risk of sounding arrogant, I am very high functioning. When I'm well or even super charged I can accomplish a lot, be responsible for a lot. I have a reputation for being composed and calm at work. I'm a good actress. I do get a lot done with good people skills.

But without meds there's a personal hell of depression and suicidal feelings which I always hid as much as possible because I was always taught to buck up and carry on. And agitated anger which my closest family would see only. Rage.

So why am I writing? Because sometimes I'm in denial. Bcuz sometimes I dont think the diagnosis quite fits. At times it certainly seems like I'm quite well. I guess I just have to remember the personal subjective hell I experience without meds and am so good at acting through.

Anybody else consider themselves high fxning or have others deny they have an illness bcuz of their fxning? Thanks for listening.