Ah! The million dollar question! My usual response is "don't let your MI define who you are". But I guess what I really mean is "don't let it stop you". For me personally, I feel that I AM bipolar. I've just decided to accept it just as I do the color of my skin. Because if I HAVE something (unless it's a terminal illness) there's a good chance I can get rid of it. No drugs, no amount of therapy has ever worked for me. Some ARE able to find things that help them.... but not me. So, now I consider it a part of who I Am. I guess it's a matter of perspective. I was diagnosed as an adult, but had the signs my whole life, so that's all I have ever known.