I've recently been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, as well as GAD and OCD, I've questioned it all my life but it was only recently that I had sufficient motivation to, genuinely, seek help.In attempting to distinguish myself from my illness I am finding out that I don't know who I am. I've got no memory of life without the madness. I know that when I was very young, friends and family spoke of my having a great deal of potential. I began to accomplish goals and make achievements very early on. I began drinking in high school. I crossed the line into alcoholism right away, I held myself prisoner for 15 years. Since getting sober in 2010 I have managed to accomplish a great deal. I've helped a lot of people, I've fallen in love and married the woman of my dreams, I now have four amazing children, I've become a real asset to my employer, I've started a successful small business and opened a store, I've been welcomed into very selective organizations and people in general seem to like being around me. I still can not see myself the way others seem to and can not accept compliments, even from my own parents. This brings me to my questioning. I have no idea where the mania ends and where I begin. I am having such a hard time separating myself from my illness, it's frightening. I feel as if I can not trust my mind or emotions at all. If anyone reads this and has experienced anything similar I would greatly appreciate any feedback on strategies for working through it. I don't expect any magic answers, I know this will take work, I know it is not a matter of flipping a switch. I am going to support groups, trying out new therapists to find a fit and taking my meds but I also know there is work to be done on my own. I'm just not sure where to begin.