Bipolar Disorder is one of the most misunderstood disorders. Stereotyped as "PMS-like mood swings," people use it as an insult when someone changes moods quickly, often disregarding the actual illness. Bipolar Disorder is not just going from happy to sad in the blink of an eye -- it is those emotions haunting you constantly. They are hiding behind your shoulder, and as hard as you try to keep them from exploding, sometimes it happens. It is a disorder that seems easy to control on the outside, but on the inside, feelings are at war. One wrong saying or action can make or break a day. It can send one spiraling into a manic frenzy, with no signs of calming down. What people do not understand is that during an episode, it is extremely difficult to mellow out. With Bipolar Disorder, the mood swings are not consistent -- there are even times when trying to chill out is almost impossible. Sure, there are medications that can aid with this illness, but medications do not fix it all. There are many more factors in treating the disorder than taking a few pills a day. Also, there is not an instant change. It is not reasonable to believe that one day of treatment can cure it all. Bipolar Disorder takes time and effort to manage.

There is a stigma that manic depressives are not trying hard enough to combat the illness. Thinking in a way of, "How can others handle mood swings, but for some reason, those with Bipolar Disorder cannot?" is a shameful way of thought, because Bipolar Disorder affects all patients differently. There are cases that are easier than others, and that also depends on the type of Bipolar Disorder the patient has. Another negative thought toward the disorder is that people seem to think it is a choice. If you learn one thing from this, please let it be this: Bipolar Disorder is not a choice. Saying that it is a choice is comparative to saying a diabetic chooses to have diabetes, which is not the case. Being Bipolar is difficult enough in itself, having the added weight of people telling you to cheer up takes it the extra mile.

Being Bipolar myself, there are times where I wonder why I had to have it -- those times are when I hit rock bottom or I mess something up due to my mood. As I have matured, I have realized that this disorder does not define me. I have owned up to it, and I have made the changes I needed to in order to function day-to-day. It was not always easy, and I know I will continue to have times that are harder to manage than others. Through all of this, I have never wished for it to go away. My experiences in life would have not been the same if it were not for Bipolar Disorder. Without it, I would be a completely different person, and it took me awhile, but now I am extremely happy with who I am. I may see life in a different light than others, but beauty is in the eye of the Bipolar.