Do you ever think you're not bipolar?

In my mind, I glamorise my mania and downplay my depressions. I can't help it. I guess I'm not very smart.

Never. It's one of th most obvious things about me.

Yes, I tend to believe I'm not bipolar when in a manic state, even though this can come and go within the episode. Last time when I was in hospital, I usually couldn't understand why they were giving me medication, as I was in a delusional state which I thought made me 'gifted' and I was also extremely paranoid.

In general though, when depressed or stable, I definitely think I have the correct diagnosis, even if this can be difficult to accept in terms of it being a chronic illness that carries a stigma.

In fact, I'd say it has tended to be others (e.g. family) who have had trouble accepting it. I had real difficulty when I first wanted to see a psychiatrist as a teenager because my parents didn't allow it, until I got so bad they had no choice. Even though they're as supportive as they can be, sometimes family members suggest I should be on less medication or even try going without it in the future (neither of which I think would be sensible!)