I have always felt if someone else (an experienced Dr) thought I was mentally ill (in this case BP) would I be truly able to see myself as I really am, or is my self ideal clouded by my illness..and if not now how about after several years of mind altering drugs..I know we "feel" like we have a complete picture of our self but do we...I believe any "mental illness" has to change our perception of our selves and our relation to the world and our place in it..JMO