That's an interesting question. I'm not sure how to answer since I don't think I know anything other than "bipolar". I've probably been bipolar for 30 years and I can't remember anything more than hyper drive. I know what I was like before diagnosis and treatment and I don't want to go back there. Sure, I was a lot of positive things - productive, successful, energetic - but I was a Major League asshole as well.

But what is "normal"? I'm not sure. I like where I am now.....I'm unique and being BP2 gives me a sense of purpose. Now, I'm *focused*. My diagnosis lets me be comfortable in my own skin if I allow myself just to "be" and to work on improving as a human being. Being BP gives me humility, something I NEVER had. Beforehand, I was just a spinning tornado with no horizon.