i could have written the initial post a bit more clearly. see, for a while, my diagnosis was 'severe bipolar i,' possibly 'schizoaffective, manic type.' now...somehow...the new prescriber lady has come to the conclusion that my problems might not be so severe, after all...not severe enough for the more stigmatizing labels, anyway. and...

the truth is behind every 'mental patient' is a life story, including the paths that led to madness. but why are there no paths out of madness, for most of us? and out of a thoroughly stigmatized identity? i mentioned eventually tapering off the psych drugs--if it happens, it could be years from now--because it honestly seems that, like a lot of people, i got labeled with the most stigmatizing, most damaging labels imaginable.