I do agree with all five, in my case, but a couple not in all ways:

1. Made me stronger - I am stronger in that I've learned how to cope in more positive ways. Having lived through hellish traumatic times, I feel that I will be a bit more prepared for any future ones. But I am still on disability. The worst times of my illness really knocked me down a number of pegs. I haven't fully recovered. I used to be able to handle so so much (in terms of endurance and responsibilities), but now I can't, as much. I accept that, and work with it. Acceptance, for me, doesn't mean I've given up. It just means I focus my efforts differently. Doing less can sometimes be doing more. A lot of the knowledge I've gained over these past 15 years has made me smarter than I used to be, in various ways. That's a strength. I'll take steps forward when I'm ready, but not irrationally because of impatience.

2. Being more appreciative - Oh yea! Much more appreciative! Not just for the big things in life, but the little things, too. This helps keep me relatively well, and has diminished tendencies to feel hopelessness, disappointment, and to hurt myself in ways I used to.

3. Being more empathetic - Absolutely, but I grew more empathetic only after I had been dragged down hard. Going to support groups of various sorts (in-person and online) has really helped me develop empathy.

4. Being more creative - I can't say if bipolar disorder made me creative or not. I feel I am quite creative in various ways, but I prefer to give myself the credit for this, not a mental illness. Sorry Kay Redfield Jamison! I actually believe I've become more creative since being properly medicated than when I wasn't. Well, at least in different ways.

5. Finding others who really understand - With the exception of my husband, my psychiatrist of 15 years, and maybe my late mom, I felt alone in the world in the past. Even when I had many more friends. I certainly appreciate forums like this where others have had similar experiences. However, I don't always feel completely understood here, either. And I'm sure others can say the same. I do know that we all know struggle and depression. We sort of relate on the manic side, too, but not always. Personalities, flavors of bipolar, and other factors (particularly the "distance" and "shield" we have through online relationships) play into remaining mysteries. At least for me. Maybe I am just speaking for myself. I'm actually a rather hard nut to crack and one of my big therapy goals is finding ways to tear down the glass wall I often put between myself and others. I only allow my most trusted people to really have access to the fully exposed me. If anyone can relate to this, then we certainly understand each other in that respect, as well.