“The only person’s acceptance you need is your own, but accept your WHOLE self.”

What kind of stigma did you experience/observe?

I live with bipolar I and I think I have a strange stigma experience. I accepted my diagnosis early and do all the medicines, therapy, exercise, etc., but I found I still had great difficulty functioning in the “normal” world. Sometimes I feel like there may be something wrong with me because so many other bipolar people lead nearly normal lives. Sometimes I feel like a quitter and this disorder has gotten the best of me.

How did you overcome this experience? 

Much like I accepted my diagnosis, I am accepting this as another part of living with bipolar. I’m not a quitter. I’m not weak. I do the best I can and that’s the best I can do. Each day that I open my eyes and a cat licks my elbow or my boyfriend kisses my cheek is another day that I am winning and another day to do the best I can… without definitions of what “best” or “normal” are.

Help others by sharing a brief, positive message.

The only person’s acceptance you need is your own, but accept your WHOLE self. Do the best you can, whatever that may be, find a hand to hold when you need a little extra strength or courage. You’re not alone, no matter what your brain tries to tell you.