Having a mental illness is not a choice. Is suffering from one a choice? I mean, I see 2 me's over the last several months. And no pats on the back here... I'm just using myself as an example. When I first came here, I was wallowing in my own misery. No therapy. No meds. Always wanting, always NEEDING the attention of everyone here in a sad attempt to make myself feel whole. I FEEL that I made a choice to stop suffering. I started seeing a therapist. I started a mix of meds. I planned a move that would make me happy. I quit drinking. I decided to get out and make some friends so I won't be lonely anymore. Now, as I said, I want absolutely no pats on the back. I just see 2 extremes in me. Sure I still get ups and downs from the bp disorder and sleepless nights and anxiety from the PTSD and wretched attention span from the ADHD. I honestly think it's how we deal with those feelings that counts... that determines whether or not we SUFFER. I'll always have BP/PTSD/ADHD but do I HAVE to suffer? IMHO, not at all. I'd like opinions on this if you have one.

Ry