Um, yes. I’m wary of being able to ‘take charge of’ or ‘control’ any of my mental disorders, bipolar in particular, maybe. No, I can’t separate myself from my illnesses — if I could I’d have no need for shrinks, therapists or meds. If I were to ‘separate’ myself from my meds for one-week? If I could pep-talk my way out of depression? No and no.

I’m delighted that others have positive experiences with mental disorders and self-control/self-management. And in the whole process of seeing oneself as a separate entity from ones’ disorders. I lack that kind of control.