--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I was diagnosed, I believed my…" description: "\"When I was diagnosed, I believed my illness would be my great, lifelong weakness. Bipolar disorder was to be my impenetrable prison, and I would be loc..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/435/aj-lee-12237_bipolar_when-i-was-diagnosed-i-believed-my-illne_3004144.jpg" --- # When I was diagnosed, I believed my illness would be my… ![“When I was diagnosed, I believed my illness would be my great, lifelong weakness. Bipolar disorder was to be my impenetrable prison, and I would be locked up with it in a castle Princess Toadstool style. Thinking there was no way out, I let it consume me.” quote by AJ Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/435/aj-lee-12237_bipolar_when-i-was-diagnosed-i-believed-my-illne_3004144.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/435/aj-lee-12237_bipolar_when-i-was-diagnosed-i-believed-my-illne_3004144.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/435/aj-lee-12237_bipolar_when-i-was-diagnosed-i-believed-my-illne_3004144.jpg) > “When I was diagnosed, I believed my illness would be my great, lifelong weakness. Bipolar disorder was to be my impenetrable prison, and I would be locked up with it in a castle Princess Toadstool style. Thinking there was no way out, I let it consume me.” [AJ Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aj-lee/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Illness can feel imprisoning, yet recognizing agency offers hope for escape. **In simple terms:** Disease feels like a prison, but hope exists. Key Takeaway Seek support and reclaim agency. Themes mental health resilience identity Mood determined hopeful Type personal motivational When to use this quote - therapy - support groups - creative outlets Key Concepts self‑efficacy stigma reduction Questions to Reflect On - How do you find strength in adversity? - What steps help you regain control? A Different Perspective Denial can hinder treatment. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Believed Illness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believed-illness-4784166/) [Bipolar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bipolar/) [Bipolar disorder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bipolar-disorder/) [Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great/) [Lifelong Weakness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lifelong-weakness-4784167/) [Princess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/princess/) [Prison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prison/) [Style](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/style/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Weakness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weakness/) [Weakness Bipolar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weakness-bipolar-4784165/) ## Related quotes > [I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder when I was barely out of my teens. Like our olive skin tone and caterpillar eyebrows, I guess…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aj-lee/i-was-diagnosed-with-bipolar-disorder-when-i-was-barely-out-of-my/) [AJ Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aj-lee/) > [When I harnessed its seemingly uncontrollable might, I realized bipolar disorder's powers could be used for good. My diagnosis didn't have to be an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aj-lee/when-i-harnessed-its-seemingly-uncontrollable-might-i-realized/) [AJ Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aj-lee/) > [Because of my bipolar disorder, I tend to these mixed states, which are depressed but loud and agitated. So I can be terribly irritable.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayelet-waldman/because-of-my-bipolar-disorder-i-tend-to-these-mixed-states-which-are/) [Ayelet Waldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayelet-waldman/) > [It's almost like it's my alter ego when I get on stage... I turn into this different person, seriously. Bipolar disorder. I'm tired of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/britney-spears/it-s-almost-like-it-s-my-alter-ego-when-i-get-on-stage-i-turn-into/) [Britney Spears](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/britney-spears/) > [Just to let you know I don't post my books and things on the net in hopes of being rich. The reason is. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanley-victor-paskavich/just-to-let-you-know-i-don-t-post-my-books-and-things-on-the-net-in/) [Stanley Victor Paskavich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanley-victor-paskavich/) > [One of things so bad about depression and bipolar disorder is that if you don't have prior awareness, you don't have any idea what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kay-redfield-jamison/one-of-things-so-bad-about-depression-and-bipolar-disorder-is-that-if/) [Kay Redfield Jamison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kay-redfield-jamison/) > [“Was James bipolar?” The tears returned, and I watched her battle them. “We don’t use that word in our family.” I stared at her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hazel-butler/was-james-bipolar-the-tears-returned-and-i-watched-her-battle-them-we/) [Hazel Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hazel-butler/) > [In late 2011, I watched a documentary by Stephen Fry called 'The Secret Life Of The Manic Depressive.' He shared his story of bipolar…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-fletcher/in-late-2011-i-watched-a-documentary-by-stephen-fry-called-the-secret/) [Tom Fletcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-fletcher/) > [“Bipolar illness, manic depression, manic-depressive illness, manic-depressive psychosis. That’s a nice way of saying you will feel so high that no street drug can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-f-anderson/bipolar-illness-manic-depression-manic-depressive-illness-manic/) [Christine F. Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-f-anderson/) > [“Worse, Roger erupted into outbursts of uncontrollable rage, without apparent cause. In time I learned that this was one symptom of what therapists formerly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-kahn/worse-roger-erupted-into-outbursts-of-uncontrollable-rage-without/) [Roger Kahn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-kahn/) > [“Joshua had always been able to get away with things—things for which he should never have been forgiven. He was a lot like James…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hazel-butler/joshua-had-always-been-able-to-get-away-with-things-things-for-which/) [Hazel Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hazel-butler/) > [“James had taken his own life, but the need to do so was not something easily explained. He had the life he wanted: money,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hazel-butler/james-had-taken-his-own-life-but-the-need-to-do-so-was-not-something/) [Hazel Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hazel-butler/) > [I was hoping that I could say stuff about mental illness that maybe people didn't know. You know, speak up for bipolar disorder and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-millegan/i-was-hoping-that-i-could-say-stuff-about-mental-illness-that-maybe/) [Eric Millegan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-millegan/) > [“Creativity is closely associated with bipolar disorder. This condition is unique . Many famous historical figures and artists have had this. Yet they have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/preeti-shenoy/creativity-is-closely-associated-with-bipolar-disorder-this-condition/) [Preeti Shenoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/preeti-shenoy/) > [Sometimes labeling is only useful, like with OCD. Once you're labeled you can be treated. On other occasions labeling leads to tyranny, like with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-ronson/sometimes-labeling-is-only-useful-like-with-ocd-once-you-re-labeled/) [Jon Ronson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-ronson/) ## More by AJ Lee > [I want people to know where I come from. I think I have come really far from that, and I did it on my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aj-lee/i-want-people-to-know-where-i-come-from-i-think-i-have-come-really/) [AJ Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aj-lee/) > [I'm not the sexy girl. I'm more youthful and innocent, the girl who wears jeans and T-shirts and sneakers. But fans have accepted that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aj-lee/i-m-not-the-sexy-girl-i-m-more-youthful-and-innocent-the-girl-who/) [AJ Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aj-lee/) > [From a young age, I felt like I was supposed to be the sort of female who is doing something strong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aj-lee/from-a-young-age-i-felt-like-i-was-supposed-to-be-the-sort-of-female/) [AJ Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aj-lee/) > [To this day, I like the version of movies that don't have the curse words. I'm very reserved that way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aj-lee/to-this-day-i-like-the-version-of-movies-that-don-t-have-the-curse/) [AJ Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aj-lee/) > [When I harnessed its seemingly uncontrollable might, I realized bipolar disorder's powers could be used for good. My diagnosis didn't have to be an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aj-lee/when-i-harnessed-its-seemingly-uncontrollable-might-i-realized/) [AJ Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aj-lee/) > [Never trust anyone who doesn't drink coffee.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aj-lee/never-trust-anyone-who-doesn-t-drink-coffee/) [AJ Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aj-lee/) > [Chucks are cooler when they're dirty. I actually stepped on somebody's the other day because they were too clean.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aj-lee/chucks-are-cooler-when-they-re-dirty-i-actually-stepped-on-somebody-s/) [AJ Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aj-lee/) > [I think that it's interesting how shows like 'Walking Dead' or even 'Game of Thrones,' with all its fantasy elements, have become so popular.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aj-lee/i-think-that-it-s-interesting-how-shows-like-walking-dead-or-even/) [AJ Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aj-lee/) > [I could be anywhere in the country, and people will ask, 'Are you from Jersey?' I'm proud of that. We're a weird breed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aj-lee/i-could-be-anywhere-in-the-country-and-people-will-ask-are-you-from/) [AJ Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aj-lee/) > [I'm not interested in being famous. I'm interested in doing my job and doing it well, and that's wrestling, and that's what I love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aj-lee/i-m-not-interested-in-being-famous-i-m-interested-in-doing-my-job-and/) [AJ Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aj-lee/) > [It wasn't cool that I didn't comb my hair and had books and wore glasses. It was never cool be a nerd and tomboy,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aj-lee/it-wasn-t-cool-that-i-didn-t-comb-my-hair-and-had-books-and-wore/) [AJ Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aj-lee/) > [It's funny because I remember playing 'Grand Turismo,' and I would get yelled at by my brother for moving the controller as if it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aj-lee/it-s-funny-because-i-remember-playing-grand-turismo-and-i-would-get/) [AJ Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aj-lee/) > [This is over 10 years in the making for me and just a dream come true. I'm the luckiest person in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aj-lee/this-is-over-10-years-in-the-making-for-me-and-just-a-dream-come-true/) [AJ Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aj-lee/) > [I have a very distinct memory of 'ExciteBike' and making my own courses. I had an obsession with that game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aj-lee/i-have-a-very-distinct-memory-of-excitebike-and-making-my-own-courses/) [AJ Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aj-lee/) > [I'm not the coolest person in the world. I'm not the sexiest Diva or the strongest Diva. I know who I am. I'm not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aj-lee/i-m-not-the-coolest-person-in-the-world-i-m-not-the-sexiest-diva-or/) [AJ Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aj-lee/) [Explore all 55 AJ Lee quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aj-lee/) ## More Bipolar quotes > [Sometimes labeling is only useful, like with OCD. Once you're labeled you can be treated. On other occasions labeling leads to tyranny, like with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-ronson/sometimes-labeling-is-only-useful-like-with-ocd-once-you-re-labeled/) [Jon Ronson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-ronson/) > [Society takes what it wants. The artist himself does not count, because there is no actual existence for the work of art. The work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-duchamp/society-takes-what-it-wants-the-artist-himself-does-not-count-because/) [Marcel Duchamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-duchamp/) > [It's more common than not that bipolar illness will start in the teens. One of the reasons I spend a lot of time on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kay-redfield-jamison/it-s-more-common-than-not-that-bipolar-illness-will-start-in-the/) [Kay Redfield Jamison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kay-redfield-jamison/) > [Every seventeen minutes in America, someone commits suicide. Mostly, I have been impressed by how little value our society puts on saving the lives…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kay-redfield-jamison/every-seventeen-minutes-in-america-someone-commits-suicide-mostly-i/) [Kay Redfield Jamison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kay-redfield-jamison/) > [Madness is to think of too many things in succession too fast, or of one thing too exclusively.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/voltaire/madness-is-to-think-of-too-many-things-in-succession-too-fast-or-of/) [Voltaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/voltaire/) > [Flippin up my phone, touch screen motorola. They figured I was bipolar the way I sipped that syrup and soda.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/riff-raff/flippin-up-my-phone-touch-screen-motorola-they-figured-i-was-bipolar/) [Riff Raff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/riff-raff/) > [“Creativity is closely associated with bipolar disorder. This condition is unique . Many famous historical figures and artists have had this. Yet they have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/preeti-shenoy/creativity-is-closely-associated-with-bipolar-disorder-this-condition/) [Preeti Shenoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/preeti-shenoy/) > [Ordinarily he was insane, but he had lucid moments when he was merely stupid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heinrich-heine/ordinarily-he-was-insane-but-he-had-lucid-moments-when-he-was-merely/) [Heinrich Heine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heinrich-heine/) > [I was hoping that I could say stuff about mental illness that maybe people didn't know. You know, speak up for bipolar disorder and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-millegan/i-was-hoping-that-i-could-say-stuff-about-mental-illness-that-maybe/) [Eric Millegan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-millegan/) > [I have never gone for a diagnosis and I don't consider myself to be bipolar, but I have extreme moods. I get heightened. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-quentin/i-have-never-gone-for-a-diagnosis-and-i-don-t-consider-myself-to-be/) [Caroline Quentin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-quentin/) > [When you're depressed, you know, it's like the world has ended. Even getting out of bed takes the most massive amount of effort. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherman-alexie/when-you-re-depressed-you-know-it-s-like-the-world-has-ended-even/) [Sherman Alexie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherman-alexie/) > [“I thought I would inaugurate a Bipolar Pride Day. You know, with floats and parades and stuff! On the floats we would get the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-fisher/i-thought-i-would-inaugurate-a-bipolar-pride-day-you-know-with-floats/) [Carrie Fisher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-fisher/) > [I just always wanted to study human behavior because every psychologist that I would talk to would tell me I was bipolar, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-gates/i-just-always-wanted-to-study-human-behavior-because-every/) [Kevin Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-gates/) > [“Insomuch as the structure of this book parallels that of my own mind, it boasts about as much order and linearity as a hallucination.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melody-moezzi/insomuch-as-the-structure-of-this-book-parallels-that-of-my-own-mind/) [Melody Moezzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melody-moezzi/) > [“In our family "whim-wham" is code, a defanged reference to any number of moods and psychological disorders, be they depressive, manic, or schizoaffective. Back…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-lovelace/in-our-family-whim-wham-is-code-a-defanged-reference-to-any-number-of/) [David Lovelace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-lovelace/) [Browse all 373 Bipolar quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bipolar/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When I was diagnosed, I believed my illness would be my great, lifelong weakness. Bipolar disorder was to be my impenetrable prison, and I would be locked up with it in a castle Princess Toadstool style. 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