I agree with what you have said here. There was a great article on another members blog here that perfectly aligns with my views on this.

So, I'm diagnosed BP2 with a lot of other 3 letter words as well and it was only when my hypo/ manic episodes (there's a very fine line here, one I struggle to see) became destructive or dangerous that I was offered help. Offered access to a psychiatrist and psychologist. Part of my "problem" is that I can come across as quite high functioning, intelligent and fairly reasonable.That's what I want people to see, though.

How many times I've just been on the edge of losing my **** and not said anything, nudged it off and tried to be strong mentally even though deep down I hated everyone, everything and was just fed up and I still don't think I was taken seriously. I needed help.

Had I gone in and just lost the fine bit of self-control barely keeping me on the edge, I could have been treated five years earlier.

It pisses me off daily to think that I could have been starting to get better all those years ago but because I presented as high functioning despite my inner desire to smash all the **** up in rage I was passed over.

Yes, it's almost like self-destructive behavior is 'rewarded' and it's ********.