MiguelsMom "Bipolar to me just means at times my reactions are overboard to the stimulus but it doesn't mean I don't feel that way but it's to much for what's going on."
SPOT ON!!
You said that so perfectly!
Now in response to the question. My psychiatrist says that like a different type of chronic illness that has no stigma, like diabetes for instance, it is not our fault we have bipolar, but it is our responsibility to manage it. I suffer tons of guilt for everything I did and therefore lost as a result of my first big 'run in' with bipolar. I meant I lost EVERYTHING. Job, house, car, kids, you name it. Now I am picking up the pieces and day by day I am working through how to deal with everything.
Good luck with this, and thanks everybody for sharing!