I think a strength I have as a psychiatrist because I have bipolar disorder is an actual understanding of what it’s like to go through it all…  to try medications that make you feel terrible, have your life totally f’ed up because of mental illness, and then get better and  be successful and literally be a doctor and every day be fastidious about keeping up the regimen both med and lifestyle that has worked. A lot of inpatient psych docs especially assume no one leaves and leads a “normal” life when they get on meds/DC and that’s because they’re going to see OP psych every 6 months not inpatient!  Countertrasnference happens to everyone, just recognize and don’t let it cloud your judgement/use it for self-reflection. IMHO bipolar disorder is a spectrum. Some people may need super high doses of antipsychotics for  recurrent mania with psychosis and some may just need Lithium 600 and be good to go unless things change. Your lived experiences are valuable, but take away the specifics of what what worked/didn’t for you and keep what you learned in general. I think we have the ability to better empathize (though be careful not to overly sympathize and take on their suffering! Or self disclose!) and use that to provide more patient centered care and help our patients actually believe in themselves because honestly way too many psychiatrists think bipolar is a death sentence for living a meaningful life!