Based on my understandings and experiences with Bipolar, i know that i am not the illness, it is not me, my fault or choice to suffer with it, it is a real illness, and challenging just like a serious physical illness. Its both mental and physical and so is depression an illness but not everyone believes depression is an illness. People have different perspectives, beliefs, experiences and ways of dealing with issues. I for sure am not gonna let my illness, an external label, cover up who i am completely, consume me totally.Its important to seperate self from it. I became aware of it 8 years ago and things have become more difficult for me. Im basing my awareness of it on the symptoms, duration and extent it has affected me in my life and on the fact that many people with it need professional help if severe not solely medication in managing life with it. I know im not myself when severely depressive and agitated and when have dark intense thoughts and feelings and suicidal. When i have had strong suicidal thoughts i have felt close to acting on them but something in me has been able to resist that and try to reach out for help each time.