Many people benefit from separating self from illness by referring to themselves as having bipolar, instead of being bipolar.


It's a matter of perception and which is healthier to adopt.


I am part of the few who refer to myself as being bipolar, because im also part of an even smaller group who find its healthier FOR ME to observe it as an extension of myself as opposed to an illness.

Personally, having ill perceptions, caused me to be more symptomatic. I thought like a sick person, therefore I behaved like one daily.


Unacceptable to me.


Either way, whichever group you fall into, it's in your best interest to only attribute symptoms to bipolar, nothing less and nothing more.

You end where the DSM list begins.