[strugglingpgh]

I was diagnosed with bipolar disease over 10 years ago. I still cannot accept that I have this disorder although I fit all of the symptoms. I have so much trouble because I cannot see physical proof such as an xray. I also have a lot of problems about other people knowing. I feel there is a stigma and it scares me. How do I accept this? My mind is constantly racing with thoughts of how I could have prevented this or just worked my way thru it and kept my job so my life would be so much better now. I am in treatment with both psychiatrist and therapist and take medicine daily. I have been in several out-patient treatments but never in-patient. Does anyone else have this problem and for such a long time?

[Icare dixit]

Many seem to have this problem. I don't really, but beliefs about whether I think I need treatment vary. When manic, I'm more likely to think I don't need it, but even that varies.

Not seeing it as an illness helps. It's not and therefore you can't accept it. It's called intuition. Trust it.

[venusss]

There is no proof. You don't even have to see it as illness. But you have symptoms that bother you... and there are ways to help those. Maybe focus on that?