you know, as someone diagnosed with bipolar disorder I actually do think about this from time to time and I think to some degree I agree.
I often ponder this when I'm reflecting on what has triggered a recent depressive episode. I mentioned this in another thread on the subject but it fucking SUCKS to live in a world that just utterly tramples your values, which is commonly my trigger. There's literally no escape, you are trapped. That's scary. Obviously my brain/body chemistry plays a big role in how i cope with this, but the outside influences are why I have to cope in the first place. i can't help but wonder sometimes where the problem really lies: with me or the outside world? Of course the answer is a little bit of both but....still, how's that any different than a "normal" person. Considering the above i can't see how that wouldn't be difficult to cope with from time to time.
Yes the negatives really suck, and i mean REALLY suck. What i go through when i'm unstable is awful and while it was hard to admit at first i am grateful for the assistance i receive in order to cope. but there's a difference between "treating" and "curing". Just because i am being treated for bipolar disorder doesn't mean it's been cured. It doesn't go away. when I'm healthy and stable i LIKE that person, and if that were to be "cured" I have little doubt that i'd be an entirely different person regardless of the status of my health or stability. To imply otherwise is...well, i don't know. Something about that disturbs me a little. I very much believe this applies to my mother (ADHD), my two brothers (Dyslexia/non-verbal learning disabilities, and Tourette's) and my father (Bipolar/OCD).
In terms of how I think this relates to other "disorders" i'd recommend the book "Kids in the Syndrome Mix"; it's a great intro to co-morbid disorders like Bipolar, ADHD (if you're going to be doing a presentation on this, be aware that ADD is technically not an official diagnosis anymore; it's now "ADHD w/out hyperactivity"), Tourette's, OCD, Central Auditory Processing Disorders (CAPD) non-verbal learning disabilities like Dyslexia, Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), Depression, Asperger's/ASD, and sensory integration disorder (SID). this might give you a great idea of the bigger picture of non-NT brains and how these are ALL intertwined, and help you with your presentation.