I can come up with a list of everything bipolar disorder has stolen from me and my family, including

• Income
• Health insurance
• Retirement funds
• Vacations
• Friends

But the experience of having a loved one with bipolar disorder has also made me stronger and more understanding. I feel as though now that my family has made it through some terrible times, we can deal with anything that life throws our way. I also benefited by meeting people I would otherwise never have met (including Dr. Fink), writing a book about bipolar disorder, and taking a new route in my career – instead of writing computer books exclusively, I now collaborate with experts in a host of other fields on a variety of topics and am finding it more interesting.

I also feel that my wife, who has bipolar disorder, and I are closer. I respect her more now than ever both for her vulnerabilities and for the strength she has shown. Bipolar has forced both of us to expose vulnerabilities to ourselves and one another that I think would have remained hidden. In the process, this has led to a greater sense of intimacy, I think.

It sounds kind of silly to ask “What has bipolar disorder done for you?” when it may have taken away so much from you and your loved ones, but I’d like to ask the question anyway and see what you and others have to say. Please share your insights.

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    Last reviewed: 14 Nov 2008