I don't think of my bipolar as an 'illness' so to speak. I think of it as a part of who I am that has to be treated to remain under control. So that's what I do: I treat it and deal with the issues I have until the issues are minimal. Once the issues are minimal then the 'problem' isn't so much of a problem any more, I take my meds nightly, make sure I can afford to continue buying them, and carry on.

There's no need to feel guilt about it, your brain works a little different from other people's. There's nothing inherently wrong with that, it just is what it is.