In an interesting Guardian Weekly interview with the now 88 year old and highly lucid 1950s film star Kim Novak, the interviewer wrote of her full life activities, including being a mental health activist.
Then he adds in brackets, “she is proudly bi-polar”.
Pride is surely one of the most mis-used words in our language.
Gay pride week, a proud Kiwi, Aucklander, Scot, Labour Party supporter etc. etc. are all common-place expressions.
Surely pride as an adjective requires some input, namely achievement. These usages are like saying I’m proud to be two-legged. But it’s particularly ridiculous to apply it to an infliction.
Bi-polarism is a deeply troublesome infliction for both its victims and their family and friends and is hardly a cause for pride.