How do you seperating yourself from your symptoms?

So a little background information on me...I was diagnosed with major depression at 15, then at 19 with severe generalized anxiety, then last year at 20, with bipolar 2. So it all kind of fits in together and makes sense. Before being diagnosed I thought I was going crazy. I was constantly depressed, I had moment of clarity. I tried to 'get better', tried to be happy, and whenever it got better, it would only last several weeks, then I would be depressed again. I didn't understand what was going on with me. So getting this diagnosis was great in the sense I no longer 'crazy'. But on the other hand, it then became a life long issue. So i'm still sorting out my medication. I've changed my medication so many times. So aside from all the chemical effects all these different medications have on my body, i'm trying to figure out when happiness isn't mania, or disappointment isn't depressing.
The biggest struggle for me is being hopeful. It's a scary thought that I will have to deal with this for the rest of my life. I will have to find a man who is okay with all these ups and downs. I will have to try to finish university with all these ups and downs (and so far it's been a struggle), I will have to raise kids, and try to do a decent job, with all these ups and downs.
How does everyone else separate themselves from their 'symptoms?'.

It isn't really possible to separate yourself from your symptoms. You can only learn how to handle your illness and the meds that go with it. It often takes quite some time and a lot of different drugs before you find the combination that makes you feel like a human. Please try to handle only one thing at a time. If you expect too much from yourself all at once you are setting yourself up for failure. Start with university and when you master that then find a good man and so on. Good Luck to you.

I see noway to separate it. BP will be at times just a possible huge problem. Takes time to find medications that are going to be effective for you with as low amount of side effects as possible.

There are many things that can help you manage and live a great life with Bp in it. You will need to learn coping skills .. Meditation, Mindfulness, Breathing exercises, Sleep hygiene, Healthy diet and exercise, Charting your daily moods, The list goes on and on.

If your have a T (therapist) they can be so very helpful in teaching you coping skills and learning how to actualy use them.

Bipolar is a real medical problem and at times it can feel like a giant monster, but.. Bipolar does not mean you can't have a wonderful marriage and family. I do not advise telling any potential partners right off the bat, let them get to know you, telling too soon can just scare someone off because they just don't understand much if anything about mental illness. Plus you might hit date 3 or 4 and decide the guys a jerk, lol.... So don't box yourself in.

The one true thing about Bipolar is it cycles , it will always cycle.

Welcome to PC I hope you find this site as helpful and supportive as I have.

I actually found that the best way to "separate" was to simply accept that it's part of who I am. It's as much a part of who I am as the fact that I need glasses and love to travel. Knowing that it's just there makes it easier to manage it and just force my way through the unpleasant times.

If you're struggling with your concept of yourself... well, think about the things that are pretty much ALWAYS present. For me, some of those are having a love of reading, being curious, wanting to travel, enjoying cats, trying to be helpful, having a low self-esteem, etc etc. Even though those things might get intensified when hypomanic or dulled when depressed... inside they're still there. They're ME. If it disappears when not depressed or hypomanic then it's not the core me, and it's just a part of the cycle. For me that makes it easier to ride the waves.

Wow! I could have written your exact same post- except I am 39 and got dx at 37 after first being dx with eating disorder at 13, depression at 17, and then taking anti-depressants every so often until I finally saw a pdoc 2 years ago.

My good news for you is that I did graduate college (at age 30 bc I took time off), I have been married to a great guy for 17 years and I have 2 kids. It is all possible.

I have awful mood swings now that I am trying to figure out and it is hard having a family and working etc. but it can be done.

I also am always questioning am I happy, sad, or is it the bp. I also get discouraged knowing this will be a life long battle.

As for accepting/separating from the bipolar, the others here gave great answers