Importance of Therapy

I've only had one therapist (besides my five speech therapists). Yet, I do know that a therapist, in a sense, can make or break you. The therapist does not do the healing for you. That's up to you. One would expect to have a therapist who listens. And I am lucky to have one. It's nice that she takes me seriously and looks beyond my disorder. Having someone look at my disorder and not at me is discouraging. It's also surprising when they look at me and say "Your bipolar? But you look normal" or "But you're so pretty". Like that has anything to do with it? Bipolar disorder is a mental illness, not botox. Bipolar has no affect on how I look because I don't let it.

When I was diagnosed, I was told "You have bipolar it doesn't have you." Bipolar may be a part of me, yet it doesn't define me. I define my life on my own terms. If I cared what other people thought about me being mentally ill, I wouldn't be publishing my blog. What good would it be to anyone if I shut myself in my room?

Not living your life or limiting yourself because you hear the word "can't" is just about the stupidest thing I ever heard. A therapist can help one learn how to control themselves and to recognize when they may or may not become manic. But it's up to me to take the advice. Likewise, your life is in your hands. Having a mental illness does not have to define you. Yet it is important to control your illness. If you have to take medicine to control your illness, than do it. Denial can do more harm than good. But don't hide behind a pill. Accept yourself, flaws and all. Being confident is the best medicine one can have, and it can't be bought.