When it comes to diagnosing mood disorders or personality disorders, it’s important to recognize that there is often a great amount of variability in how a particular disorder might manifest.

You have bipolar disorder, so getting depressed after a stressful event is part of what happens. Yes, you do get sick — but it’s not like it used to be. What’s different now is your resilience.

Over the years, I have tried to understand — and yes, join — this band of bipolar success stories, which I fondly call the “Thrive Tribe.” Who are they? Where do they come from?