I hate my mental illness. I really do.

But you're right, there have been side benefits so here are the positives that I've gotten out of it...

- A lot of really odd/wild/unhealthy/crazy stories. I draw from my own history a lot when I write. I'm glad I've had such a, umm, "colorful" history.

- I'm a truly independent thinker. I have an objectivity that, it seems, is hard for people to attain without living in the margins for a long time.

- I'm weird. Strange thing to list as a benefit but hey, it's true, I'm a weird guy. Over the years, I've found I enjoy being eccentric and now I wouldn't let anyone take that away from me.

- I have few hangups. I'm really not uptight about anything.

- I understand other people's pain and experience with intuitive ease. I'm also the person everyone seems to want to talk to about their problems. I like that.

I dunno. There's probably more. And since I'll never know what my life would have been like without mental illness, I guess I should enjoy the side benefits.

Cyran0