Back in the day when I first got my bipolar diagnosis one of my friends at the time was really freaked out by the idea of me getting treated. She said something along the lines of the world punishing me because I'm different, and treatment would just make me fit into a little box.

It really hurt me at the time, especially because I'd resisted a diagnosis for so long, and then wasn't sure about treatment. After all, I hated my depressive episodes, but there was nothing quite like mania for making me feel on top of the world.

Now though, I have to say I am so glad I found treatment that works for me. For years I'd admired the heck out of the sort of stable, together people I never thought I'd be, but now I'm one of them. I have a good job, a nice house, a stable friend group, a healthy bank balance. Sometimes I'm sad, sometimes I'm happy, but I'm never bouncing between black moods and lightning excitement. I'm actually ME, not some shadow person, or tin foil facsimile.

Ironically that friend likes me better now than they did at the time they said that foolish thing.

People who say that mental illness performs an important evolutionary function don't know what they are talking about and have no idea the harm they are causing and stigma they are creating.