Well, i was forced away from help and support by both staff at mental health service and in A&E (Accident &Emergency department) at hospital when suicidal. I would like to think i can manage this condition by myself without professional help, but the reality is its severe and it has been very difficult living with it. It has greatly affected my life. I seeked professional help cos i admitted to myself that i wasn't coping, that i couldn't just help myself, i needed professional help and support. But i have been unable to get that because staff haven't been caring, understanding and willing to help me. I dont want to just be prescribed medication as the only form of help and i have my reasons for being resistant to taking it. I don't doubt that a lot of people wouldn't be able to manage Bipolar just by themselves without good professional help. I really wish i didn't have this illness but i do. I have to face it each day and night and i don't like it. Its brought me at diff times close to suicide. I dont know how strong you have to be to beat it but i sure am strong and courageous person to have tried various things to help self and to keep going but each day is like im not really alive and is a struggle to get through. If it wasnt affecting me so much id be able to have more freedom and control to do things in my life effectively and to live a more fulfilling healthier prosperous life but its like a huge weight on me holding me back restricting me and dragging me down instead of upwards and forwards.