Interesting thread with some great responses-we are such unique individuals aren't we? The way I see it (from a nursing perspective) I've always taught & treated my patients that whether what they are going through is physical or mental that I still see them as a whole person-being a person with depression, bipolar, OCD, etc. is no different than being a person with Type I diabetes, asthma, or mitral valve prolapse, etc. There are many things you can do to make yourself healthy whether by diet, exercise, meds, therapy (both physical & emotional), acupuncture whatever. There are also many things we do that make our symptoms worse-over spending, binge eating unhealthy food, not taking meds & isolating. It's my little way to work at changing the paradigm-I hate the way mental illness is still stigmatized. Whether you see it as part of your personality or a disorder you can still integrate it into your life. Is it going to suck? Some days yes. Are you going to do things you wish you hadn't done? Yes. But the same is true of physical illness as well. Having said that I will say I do try to "walk my talk" but some days I can't-it's too hard. That's when I reach out now rather than withdrawing which is what I used to do so I could look like this perfect together person. I'm working on being kinder & more understanding to myself as I treat others. When things are going crappy I wish I didn't have these issues-but it has made me a kind & empathetic person that I might not be without them. I also can crank out some amazing art & writings when the racing ideas & thoughts come together & I love that about myself as well. I've really enjoyed reading everyone's take on this-great stuff.