So which do you prefer saying and does it matter?

"I have bipolar" or "I am bipolar"? [insert your mental illness]

This came up at a support group meeting some time ago and started a rather argumentative and heated debate. One of those present took great offense to others introducing themselves as, "My name is so-in-so and I am bipolar." She insisted it be 'have'. Her own standpoint was that by saying 'am' one was identifying themselves as being the mental illness.

I suppose she had a point. In my own case however, I don't mind being identified as being bipolar. It explains a lot of who I am and the reasons why. But then again, I don't hide the fact I am (there I go again) mentally ill. Being the diagnosis identifies who I am.

Her argument came from a stand point of not self-identifying as being mentally ill. her choice.

But I was considering this again today and the argument began to bother me.

Yes, I suppose she is right in her own way. A diabetic person for instance would say, "I have..." But my argument is that that person's character is not defined by their illness. On the other hand, a mentally ill person is.

So, I wonder where you stand in this debate? Do you say, "I AM" or do you say, "I HAVE"?