a very thought provoking topic...
"are there advantages of ....?"
well i don't know if i consider myself normal or abnormal but i would like to answer your last question regardless. the fact that i was diagnosed bipolar and alcoholic did change my world for the better. both diagnoses gave me reasons to seek professional therapy, etc to try to understand life and myself, better. i had a lot of misconceptions either taught to me by my parents, society, or self-ways of coping. the end result of therapy for the bipolar and a 12 step program of recovery for alcoholism enabled me to "became" who i am now. i truly know that these changes were for the better. i have a more forgiving spirit towards myself and others. i no longer see through glasses tinted black or white, i see shades of grey. i am able to realize that grey is ok. i am more able to take ownership for my actions be they be "good' or not so good. i am much more grateful for everything because of my bipolar and alcoholism. sounds weird to some i suppose but through this self discovery and learning how to live a healthier, happier life my whole perception of life has changed. this process ignited a love of life, an appreciation of family, friends,& strangers i honestly can admit i may not have mastered as well as i have done without those two components happening in my life. they became the catalysts for a better me, i think. a new and improved me..