Full acceptance is a work in progress for me. It really wasn't until this past summer that I finally settled down and realized that I indeed have this illness that I have to take a lot of medication to manage. This was the first summer in many years that I didn't have a manic episode, and it was a good thing. I don't WANT to lose control and spend every dime I have (and then some), or feel full of rage and verbally abuse my friends and loved ones. I like having some consistency, too. It's also much easier to get along with family when they know what they can expect from me most of the time.