Hamlet never figured it out, and chances are neither will your psychiatrist or therapist, not in the course of rushed interviews occurring once in a blue moon. I have no doubt that bipolar is a valid diagnosis, but "Bipolar plus Me" far better describes what is holding me back, as well as what I have to be thankful for. Psychiatry and psychology provide us with invaluable insights into probing the "plus me" parts of our nature, but its practitioners largely abdicate the job to us.

We may all share the same diagnosis, but obviously we're not all the same. Addressing your bipolar is only the beginning. Successfully figuring out the rest - that's a huge plus.