Bipolar disorder is not like black and white. You may ask yourself why. The reason is that the differences in the scale of each color or shade can be so subtle with full of intensity in its expression. Black can be made by mixing the primary colors in equal amounts--red, yellow, and blue. While white is a combination of all colors in the color spectrum mixed in equal amounts. In both combinations, the colors mixed have to be exact, or you end up with a different color or shade. What makes them unique is that black is the absence of light, and white is the presence of light, making them opposites and effortless. So why black and white? Because they are far from each other like the North Pole and the South Pole.

Bipolar disorder has extensive alterations called mood swings that are also opposites of each other named depression and manic episodes, but still do not have specific manifestations or range in their state, no one is alike. There is no method, prescription, or procedure for any of us with bipolar disorder, and should never be categorized as one and never stereotyped. It is not easy to define it as if it is the colors or shades of black and white because every person who suffers from bipolar disorder should be treated as an individual case, not as a whole. Each case is different which makes this disorder extremely difficult to manage by the medical department and the patient.

Medication is given, for the most part at first wrongly. What works for someone might not work for me, so it becomes a trial-and-error method. Not knowing if the medication is going to work creates uncertainties, and I fear for my life and my well-being. It is part of the process until I get the correct medication, and I am feeling well. When this happens, I need you to be with me, even if you are not physically here. I need to know that I can count on you, and mostly I need to hear you say that you love me. My prayers are that by the time you finish reading this book, you will have a conceptual understanding of what bipolar disorder is, and there are no misconceptions.