> That won’t help.

While I agree with the rest of your comment, I want to gently challenge this specific statement, as someone who has to take a powerful med (lithium) to avoid relapsing into mania with psychosis.

I was so extremely reluctant to regularly take meds, and lapsed in and out of mania for a few years. The main thing that got me to stick with lithium, and a major driver in me staying on them today, is grokking how deeply destructive mania is to all the relationships and other good things in my life.

I'm not saying we should shame mentally ill people, but part of treatment should be helping them understand & agree that permanent treatment is in their own best interest. Easier said than done, of course... it took years for me.

Thank you for sharing these insights. The whole problem space feels so intractable, and all options seemingly inhumane in their own ways, so it’s very helpful to hear from someone whose had success working though it.

> The illness makes one not want to be properly medicated.

The medications do that too. The side-effects are horrific.