I'm sorry if I am wrong in this, but I think the two of you may be talking at cross purposes. If I understood your original post, Ryan, the important thing is to be encouraged that there are resources, ways to get treatment and that taking action is better than not. On the other hand, I see emily's post as saying we may not all be ready to take best advantage of these resources. I don't see these views as mutually exclusive. On the contrary, I see them as complimentary opinions about the same subject. Sometimes, the hardest part is just taking the first step. But not always. Sometimes we step forward but it just seems to be too hard, so we try, give up, and hopefully, someday, try again. I'm sure you all understand another wrinkle in this: when you are really down it can be hard to get out of bed, let alone go out and do something about the way you feel. But when you're up, who thinks about getting treatment? (Not to say it doesn't happen, but it is clearly an issue for those with BP.) It can also be hard to ignore the lies your own brain tells you, i.e. that you aren't really sick, just a loser, or that so many others are worse off than you that you have no right to complain to anyone, particularly a mental heath professional. I would really love to see you two kiss and make up lol because I sincerely doubt either of you meant any criticism of the other or to contradict what each of you were saying.

All that having been said, I believe that, each in their own way, those who become regulars here have made that choice, but as you have said, Ryan, making the choice to do something about it does not provide an immediate end to suffering. It is merely a beginning.